Greek and Roman Technology: A Sourcebook Annotated Translations of Greek and Latin Texts and Documents

About this book

In this volume the authors translate and annotate passages from ancient authors with the aim of providing a history and analysis of the origins and development of technology. Among the topics covered are: energy, basic mechanical devices, agriculture, food processing and diet, mining and metallurgy, construction and hydraulic engineering, household industry, transport, trade and military technology. Designed as a sourcebook, it presents 150 ancient authors and a range of literary genres such as the encyclopedic "Natural Histories" of Pliny the Elder, the poetry of Homer and Hesiod, the philosophy of Plato, Aristotle and Lucretius and the agricultural treatise of Varro. The work includes glossaries of technological terminology, indices of authors and subjects, introductions outlining the general significance of the evidence and notes to explain specific details.

Contents

Preface and Acknowledgements, List of Abbreviations, List of Illustrations, Introduction: A. Society and Technology in Antiquity, B. The Literary Sources on Ancient Technology, C. Archaeology as a source for the History of Ancient Technology, D. Glossary of Weights, Measures, and Coinage, 1. The Rise of Humans and Human Technology, 2. The sources of Energy and Basic Mechanical Devices: A. Sources of Energy, 2. Basic Machines, C. Mechanical Gadgets, 3. Agriculture, 4. Food Processing, 5. Mining and Quarrying, 6. Metallurgy, 7. Construction Engineering, 8. Hydraulic Engineering, 9. Household Industry and Factory Production: A. Metal-Working, B. Wood-Working, C. Textiles and Leather, D. Ceramics and Glass, E. Applied Chemistry, F. Large-Scale Organized Production, 10. Transportation and Trade: A. Land Transportation, B. Sea Transportation, C. Standards of Trade, 11. Record-Keeping: A. Time-Keeping, B. Writing and Book Production, 12. Military Technology, 13. Attitudes Towards Labour, Innovation, and Technology, Indexes: A. Ancient Sources Translated in the text, B. Subject Index.

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