ABSTRACT
Modern is a term of opposition. 'Modern' describes a human perception of change. The word 'modern', as the human experience of distinction between past and present, was first recorded early in the sixth century and in a northern Italian town governed by Ostrogoths. The ancient/modern distinction was explicit in this very first use of the word. It was in Theodoric's interest to encourage both architectural styles, and hence the opposition between modern and older architecture was represented neutrally with both styles of architecture meeting with approval. While 'modern' often referred dispassionately to the result of change, it was occasionally employed to express approval or disapproval of limited academic topics. At the core of both the shared Italian and Portuguese embrace of the term 'modern' as favourable was a new priority in epistemology, emphasizing in both languages the importance of first-hand observation.
