The course provides an overview of the technological origins in Egypt and in Mesopotamia; civilizations with highly developed skills in construction, irrigation systems, and military equipment. However, the primary focus of this course will be on the inventions made in Greece and Rome – architecture, waterworks, war machinery, and the entertainment industry – as well as the developments of these over time.
Archaeologically, the on-site classes will benefit from the many well-preserved examples of ancient technology in Rome, like bridges, domed temples, aqueducts, and heated baths. Other buildings, smaller technical instruments, and objects made of organic materials (wood) are only known from the ancient texts and will be investigated through a close study of the philological sources.
The description and explanation of technological aspects are intended to provide a profound understanding of the historical background, of the changes occurring over time, and of the particular needs and resources that shaped the innovations.
Major fields of interest to be discussed in this course are:
· Building Techniques: quarries and building materials, transport and construction tools. These were central in ancient societies and are relatively well documented, both for Greece and Rome.
· Infrastructure: roads, bridges, tunnels, harbors and sea trade. Such aspects are still important; the Romans are responsible for some of the most famous monuments.
· Hydraulic Engineering: aqueducts and sewers, reservoirs and cisterns, baths and toilets, mills. This is the heart of Roman technology, and still of great value for us today.
· Military Technology: weapons and armor, walls and gates, warships. The dark or destructive side of human genius, often going ahead compared to other technologies.
Furthermore, the production of metal and of wooden objects, and of ceramics, will be analyzed. Installations for games in amphitheaters and in theaters will be mentioned. Finally, mechanical art, better known from the written tradition, but much appreciated during the Hellenistic period, will be studied. Surprisingly, some principles of the above mentioned technology features still determine our modern world of high-tech, or they may open new ways toward sustainable energies.