MO´DULUS
MO´DULUS (
ἐμβάτης),
the standard measure used in determining the parts of an architectural
order. It was originally the lower diameter of the column; but Vitruvius
takes in the Doric order the lower semi-diameter for the module, retaining
the whole diameter in the other orders. Modern architects use the
semi-diameter in all the orders. The system of dividing the module into
minutes was not used by the ancient architects, who merely used such
fractional parts of it as were convenient. The absolute length of the module
depends of course on the dimensions of the edifice: thus Vitruvius directs
that, in a Doric tetrastyle portico, 1/28, and in a hexastyle 1/44 of the
whole width should
[p. 2.175]be taken as the module, if
diastyle, or 1/23 and 1/35 respectively, if systyle (
Vitr. 1.2;
4.3;
5.9). Instead of the accepted view, that the bottom diameter of
the column was taken as the modulus, M. Aurés, in his
Nouvelle Théorie du Module (Nîmes,
1862), has tried to prove from Vitruvius and extant examples, that both for
the column and for the intercolumnia the measurement was taken at the middle
height. This seems improbable, as such a measurement could not be obtained
till the building was complete; and the passages quoted hardly bear such an
interpretation. (See Reber,
Philologus, xxvii.
pp. 185-191.)
[
P.S] [
E.A.G]
