The Art of Building in the Classical World : Vision, Craftsmanship, and Linear Perspective in Greek and Roman Architecture /

This book by Senseney (Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) represents a new and important approach to understanding the art of building in the classical world. It is both interdisciplinary and theoretical in concept, exploring how the techniques of classical Greek drawing shaped various ways the ancient Greeks viewed and understood their cosmos, conceived of space, and incorporated these ideas into philosophy, math, science, and religion. In the process, readers learn about how, in effect, truth and beauty could be translated into a level of architectural reality and sophistication previously unknown in Western architecture. Many of these ideas were passed on to Rome, where they were given new architectural expression through the use of improved cement construction that allowed the Romans to shape and mold space at will, culminating in architectural wonders like the Pantheon. This book is well written and fairly well illustrated with numerous plans and designs. Because of its sophisticated and theoretical approach, it is suitable principally for an advanced scholarly audience and for those especially interested in architectural theory. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above. J. Pollini University of Southern California