Greek and Roman Technology: A Sourcebook: Annotated Translations of Greek and Latin Texts and Documents (Routledge Sourcebooks for the Ancient World) [Paperback]

John W. Humphrey (Author), John P. Oleson (Author), Andrew N. Sherwood (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415061377 | ISBN-13: 978-0415061377 | Publication Date: December 20, 1997 | Edition: 1

In this volume the authors translate and annotate key passages from ancient authors to provide a history and an 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 and trade
* military technology.
The sourcebook presents 150 ancient authors and a diverse 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.
Humphrey, Oleson and Sherwood provide a comprehensive and accessible collection of rich and varied sources to illustrate and elucidate the beginnings of technology. Glossaries of technological terminology, indices of authors and subjects, introductions outlining the general significance of the evidence, notes to explain the specific details, and a recent bibliography make this volume a valuable research and teaching tool.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...providing a wide range of the literary sources for ancient technology....
–Religious Studies Review

About the Author

John W. Humphrey is Head of Department of Greek, Latin and Ancient History at the University of Calgary, Canada.
John P. Oleson is Professor and Chair of Greek and Roman Studies at the University of Victoria, Canada.
Andrew N. Sherwood is Assistant Professor at Concordia University and lecturer at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 648 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (December 20, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415061377
• ISBN-13: 978-0415061377
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,116 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > History > Europe > Greece

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Customer Reviews

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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating and accessible look at ancient technology., October 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Greek and Roman Technology: A Sourcebook: Annotated Translations of Greek and Latin Texts and Documents (Routledge Sourcebooks for the Ancient World) (Paperback)

_Greek and Roman Technology: A Sourcebook_ by Humphrey, Oleson and Sherwood is a fascinating and yet accessible examination of ancient technology in all its aspects. The sourcebook format is particularly well suited to such a diverse topic, and brings the reader closer to the Greeks and Romans in letting us read their own writings about technology. The authors have amassed a spectacular collection of passages from ancient authors on all aspects of ancient technology: the rise of technology and civilization (including some mythical sources), sources of energy and basic mechanical devices, agriculture, food processing, mining, metallurgy, construction engineering, hydraulic engineering, household crafts and workshop production (metals, wood, ceramics, textiles, etc.), transport and trade, record-keeping, and military technology. The final chapter on "Attitudes towards labour, innovation, and technology" is particularly interesting in light of modern issues. The passages themselves are well translated into readable English and are prefaced by short yet very informative introductions on the subject at hand. There seem to be no missing categories I could think of. A short introduction explains the approach of the book, the sources, and contains an essay on "society and technology in antiquity." There are several thorough indices, which make it a handy reference book and source for further study. Anyone who is genuinely interested in the ancient world or the history of science and technology should enjoy this book. It is eminently dippable and can easily be read a few pages at a time. It would make a great present for a well read friend.