Marcus Vitruvius Pollio was a Roman architect and engineer who lived during the 1st century BCE. He is best known for his work, De Architectura, a comprehensive treatise on architecture that covers various topics, including building materials, construction techniques, and city planning. Vitruvius emphasized the importance of functionality, durability, and beauty in architecture. Vitruvius is often regarded as the father of architecture, influencing many later architects and artists, including Leonardo da Vinci. His ideas about proportion and symmetry, particularly in relation to the human body, have had a lasting impact on both architecture and art throughout history.