Gabriela Solís

The article examines the philosophical background of Vitruvius’ architectural theory, focusing on the Greek term _ἰδέα_ which he included in his definition of the _dispositio_ and its interrelation with the Latin principles of _compositio_, _forma_, _species_, _inventio_, _cogitatio_, _figura_ and _imago_, among others. These principles are analyzed in the conceptual framework of Cicero’s theory, considering the philosophical implications derived from his interpretation of Plato’s and Aristotle’s doctrine, and its application to the aesthetic dimension in the creation of the discourse’s _forma_. From this philosophical perspective, attention is set on the interpretation of this knowledge in the creative process of the _forma_ and architectural space of Vitruvius. The concept of _ἰδέα_ allows us to reflect on the meaning of the Greek and Latin terms that Vitruvius articulated in _De architectura_ based on the Platonic-Aristotelian-Ciceronian vocabulary to define the design process.