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CHAPTER I. 
OF THE FORUM AND BASILICA. 
THE Greeks make their forum square, with a spacious and 
double portico, ornamenting it with columns placed at 
narrow intervals, and stone or marble epistylia, and form- 
ing walks above on the timber framed work. In the 
cities of Italy, however, this practice is not followed, be¬ 
cause the ancient custom prevails of exhibiting the shows 
of gladiators in the forum. Hence, for the convenience of 
the spectators, the intercolumniations must be wider; and 
the bankers'shops are situated in the surrounding porticos 
with apartments on the floors over them, which are con- 
structed for the use of the parties, and as a depôt of 
the public revenue. The size of the forum is to be pro- 
portioned to the population of the place, so that it be 
not too small to contain the numbers it should hold, 
nor have the appearance of being too large, from a want 
of numbers to occupy it. The width is obtained by as- 
signing to it two-thirds of its length, which gives it an 
oblong form, and makes it convenient for the purpose of 
the shows. The upper columns are to be made one- 
fourth less than those below ; and that because the latter 
being loaded with a weight, ought to be the stronger; be- 
cause, also, we should follow the practice of nature, which, 
in straight growing trees, like the fir, cypress, and pine, 
makes the thickness at the root greater than it is at top. 
and preserves a gradual diminution throughout their 
height. Thus, following the example of nature, it is 
rightly ordered that bodies which are uppermost should 
be less than those below, both in respect of height and 
thickness. The basilica should be situated adjoining 
the forum, on the warmest side, so that the merchants 
may assemble there in winter, without being inconve- 
nienced by the cold. Its width must not be less than a