But my latest read, recommended by Moses Finlay in "Ancient Econonomy", is Vitruvius.

And I like Vitruvius a lot. The only reason I gave him 4 stars rather than 5, is that he is not the greatest, in the sense of the above-mentioned.

Nevertheless, as far as knowledge and insight into ancient life go, at a level one removed from the "greats", Vitruvius is the greatest I've so far encountered.

Not only does one gain a feeling for life among the educated and capable strivers of the time immediately following the Ceasarian revolution, but also for the immense impact which Greek brilliance had upon the Romans.

One also learns much about aesthetic theory and is given interesting and practical lessons in building and architecture, from the beginning and development of dwellings, the general learning required of architects, the particular characteristics of different types of stone and wood, the design of cities, the three orders of temple architecture (Doric, Ionian and Corinthian), dwelling houses, the sounding vessels in theatres (dolby surround as already implemented long before Christ) and ingenious machines, including such inventions as the screw-pump of Archimedes (the Syracusan Greek inventor).

Vitruvius gives us the general principles of ancient aesthetic theory, the exact proportions of traditional architectural conventions and the geometric rules for determining the directions of the eight known winds.

Like all elegantly entertaining classical writers, he intermingles everything with relevant anecdotes from, and references to, the great Greek philosophers, fine artists and fine artisans of the past who were the exemplary authorities of his (and later) time.

As the title betrays, Vitruvius' work is divided into ten books, each of which contains an extemely relevant and interesting general introduction, followed by several chapters on theory and application, including very practical examples of the construction, proportions and generally applied mechanical principles relevant to the specific subject matter of the particular book.

This work is better, broader and more intelligently written than all of the books I've read on building which I've acquired at second-hand bookshops in England, and which were written anywhere from the end of the last century (1890-1900!) through the 1950s. No wonder that this fellow's work remained definitive through to the renaissance (not the Carolingian, but that of the 14th-15th centuries), a duration of 1,500 years!

I imagine that most modern day architects, adding a litte modern statics, materials and building code knowledge, and assuming enough practical building experience, could do worse than to rely otherwise on Vitruvius.

Basic raw materials and basic building skills have been around for a long, long time. Common sense and wisdom, too.

Furthermore, for the interested classicist, even though not specifically interested in architecture or building, this book gives a really immediate feeling for the gigantic influence not only of Greek thought but also of Greek applied artistic and technical skills (geometry comes to life!), aesthetics and craft work on the (Western) Roman world.

Again, I can only say, a refreshing, entertaining and informative read by a practical yet educated man of ancient times. Obviously a bestseller through the ages and, indeed, timeless in its relevance and actuality.

Highly recommended also for beginners in the study of the ancient Greek language, because of its many Greek quotes (in Greek letters, no less)!

Altogether a highly readable, informative, insightful and educational book with a rarely found mix (in ancient literature) of both the "higher" things and the eminently practical.

I feel privileged to be a privy party to this great inheritance of ancient learning. And I thank the Internet and Amazon for enabling those of us who are interested in learning to have access to this great library with its wonderful database, which makes everything not only easy to find but also to possess (and to own).

The humanist's dream! Your own infinite library. Cyber-Gutenberg!