rought up to the level, the stylobates are next to be put in place.

3. The columns are then to be distributed over the stylobates in the
manner above described: close together in the pycnostyle; in the
systyle, diastyle, or eustyle, as they are described and arranged above.
In araeostyle temples one is free to arrange them as far apart as one
likes. Still, in peripterals, the columns should be so placed that there
are twice as many intercolumniations on the sides as there are in front;
for thus the length of the work will be twice its breadth. Those who
make the number of columns double, seem to be in error, because then the
length seems to be one intercolumniation longer than it ought to be.

4. The steps in front must be arranged so that there shall always be an
odd number of them; for thus the right foot, with which one mounts the
first step, will also be the first to reach the level of the temple
itself. The rise of such steps should, I think, be limited to not more
than ten nor less than nine inches; for then the ascent will not be
difficult. The treads of the steps ought to be made not less than a foot
and a half, and not more than two feet deep. If there are to be steps
running all round the temple, they should be built of the same size.

5. But if a podium is to be built on three sides round the temple, it
should be so constructed that its plinths, bases, dies, coronae, and
cymatiumare appropriate to the actual stylobate which is to be under the
bases of the columns.

[Illustration: FRA GIOCONDO'S IDEA OF THE "SCAMILLI IMPARES"

(From his edition of Vitruvius, Venice, 1511)]

The level of the stylobate must be increased along the middle by the
scamilli impares; for if it is laid perfectly level, it will look to the
eye as though it were hollowed a little. At the end of the book a figure
will be found, with a description showing how the scamilli may be made
to suit this purpose.

CHAPTER V

PROPORTIONS OF THE BASE, CAPITALS, AND ENTABLATURE IN THE IONIC ORDER

1. This finished, let the bases of the columns be set in place, and
constructed in such proportions that their height, including the plinth,
may be half the thickness of a column, and their projection (called in
Greek [Greek: ekphora]) the same.[1] Thus in both length and breadth it
will be one and one half thicknesses of a column.

[Note 1: Reading _aeque tantam_ as in new _Rose._ Codd. _sextantem;_
Schn. _quadrantem._]

2. If the base