Little is known of the life of Vitruvian, except what can be gleaned from his writings, which are somewhat obscure on the subject. Although nowhere does he identify the emperor to whom his work is dedicated, it is likely that it is the first Augustus and that the treatise was conceived after 27 BC. Given the Vitruvian describes himself as an old man, it can be inferred that he was also active during the time of Julius Caesar. The Vitruvius himself speaks of a basilica that he built at Fanum (now Fano).
By architectura it was based on his own experience, as well as on theoretical works by famous Greek architects, such as Hermogenes. The treatise covers almost all aspects of architecture, but it is limited in that it relies primarily on Greek models, from which Roman architecture would soon be decisively withdrawn to serve the new needs of proclaiming a world empire.
By architectura It is divided into 10 books on urban planning and architecture in general; Construction materials; the construction of the temple and the use of the Greek orders; Public buildings (theaters, baths); private buildings; Stucco flooring and decoration; hydraulics; clocks, measurement, and astronomy; and civil and military engines.
The perspective of Vitruvian it is essentially Hellenistic. His desire was to preserve the classical tradition in the design of temples and public buildings, and his prefaces to the separate books of his treatise contain many pessimistic comments on contemporary architecture. Most of what Pliny the Elder says in his Natural History about Roman building methods and wall painting was taken from Vitruvian, although not recognized.