.Roman Cement
Augustus (33 BC - 14 AD) is reputed to have stated, "I found Rome a city of mud bricks, and left her clothed in marble." Augustus' reign is called "the principiate" and it marks the juncture of the Roman Republic and the Empire. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, who served as an engineer with Augustus´ uncle Julius Caesar, wrote a treatise on architecture during the principiate. Vitruvius quoted earlier authors and defined his ideal in architecture and building, though most buildings of the time fail to meet his standards. Vitruvius´ work and modern archaeological discoveries give us a starting place for our search.