Greece - Rome - Engineering - Mechanics

There were Greek scientists with such deep understanding of mechanics that we today marvel at their inventions. The Romans achieved feats of engineering that have survived for two millennium. Read more about the engineering and mechanics of Greece and Rome and the men known for such feats.

Aqueducts & Roads

Engineering in the Ancient World
J. G. Landels' Engineering in the Ancient World may be hard to understand in parts if you don't understand mechanics, but even if much of the material is over your head, there is a lot of fascinating material here especially on or from Hero of Alexandria, Frontinus, Pliny, and Vitruvius.

Antikythera Mechanism - Ancient Greek Computer
The Greeks invented mechanical devices like this one whose true purpose still eludes us. Here is some information on this ancient clockwork device that is described as an ancient Greek computer.

Roman Glass-Making
In the ancient world, glass was not usually a throw-away material or one that was recycled into new forms. The procedure for making it was still being perfected. Here you can see some of this history of Roman glass-making based on an exhibit at the Kelsey Museum. Most of the glass is from Egypt which, because of the desert conditions, preserved the glass intact.

The History of Plumbing
Roman aqueducts conducted water for many miles and many of these stone structures survive. The Romans also made lasting structures for public baths. This history of plumbing site looks at both these Roman achievements.

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