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Symmetry: Culture and Science
Volume 29, Number 3, pages 353-363 (2018)
https://doi.org/10.26830/symmetry_2018_3_353

THE STRICT AND THE BROAD SENSE OF SYMMETRY IN VITRUVIUS’ DE ARCHITECTURA

Pavlos Lefas*

* Address: Department of Architecture, University of Patras, 26504, Greece
E-mail: pavloslefas@gmail.com

Abstract: Vitruvius uses the concept of symmetria (symmetry) to establish architecture as a liberal art. Symmetry can be considered strictly, as Euclid did, and broadly, as prominent philosophers did. The two concepts of symmetry appear, to some extent, contradictory to each other, especially when applied to art and architecture. Vitruvius attempted to reconcile the two notions of symmetry by developing the concept of ordinatio (order) and giving it a prominent position among the principles governing architecture.

Keywords: Vitruvius, symmetry, order, architecture.

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