Asphalt Quote by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio
“Dimension stone, flint, rubble, burnt or unburnt brick, use them as you find them. For it is not every neighborhood or particular locality that can have a wall built of burnt brick like that at Babylon, where there was plenty of asphalt to take the place of lime and sand, and yet possibly each may be provided with materials of equal usefulness so that out of them a faultless wall may be built to last forever.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: De Architectura, Book I, Chapter III, 1st century BC
Use locally available materials wisely; a well‑built wall can be made from any suitable stone or brick.
In simple terms: Local resources can make lasting structures.
Key Takeaway
Choose materials that suit the environment.
Themes
architecture
resourcefulness
durability
Mood
pragmatic
inspired
Type
instructional
historical
When to use this quote
- construction projects
- historical restoration
- sustainable building
- community planning
Key Concepts
civil engineering
material science
Questions to Reflect On
- How can modern architects balance tradition with innovation?
- What criteria determine material suitability?
A Different Perspective
Local scarcity may limit material choices, affecting structural integrity.
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