Engineering in the Ancient World, Revised Edition (Paperback)

by J. G. Landels (Author) "THE sources of power available in classical antiquity were severely limited by comparison with those of the present day..." (more)
Key Phrases: undershot wheel, overshot wheel, stone shot, Hero of Alexandria, Hellenistic Greek, Rio Tinto

Editorial Reviews

Review
Those who are fascinated by ancient tools and technology will greatly enjoy this handbook. The Romans in particular were brilliant engineers, unsurpassed until the industrial revolution; their inventions are clearly discussed with a large number of explanatory sketches and tables and even illustrative poetry. The author also addresses the question of why, when they understood the principles of the steam engine, did the ancients consider it a mere curiosity and not worth developing? (Kirkus UK) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
In his classic book, J. G. Landels describes the technological advances of the Greeks and Romans with erudition and enthusiasm. He provides an important introduction to engineering, writing about power and energy sources, water engineering, cranes, and transportation devises. From aqueducts to catapults, he attempts to envision machines as they may have worked in the ancient world. He then traces the path of knowledge taken by early thinkers-including Plato, Pliny, and Archimedes-in developing early theories of engineering and physics.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (September 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520227824
• ISBN-13: 978-0520227828
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #383,363 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ancient History and Engineering Come Together, May 11, 2000

By	Ian K O'Malley (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Engineering in the Ancient World (Paperback)

Mr. Landels brings together two of the world's oldest academic endeavors, history and engineering. This is short volume is a quick read yet serves as a valuable reference tool. Landels provides a wonderful historic background for each piece of technology discussed in the book. The breadth of actual technolgy is not as great as one would want (unfortunately limited to ships, lifting devises, some seige engines and water procurement machines... yet to the author's credit the actual knowledge on complex technology of the ancient world is limited) but the technology that is covered is both well explained with many diagrams and placed into a historic perspective. To this reader, the last chapter serves as an invaluable reference for the simple fact the author provides short biographies of four ancient writers; Hero, Pliny the Elder, Frontinus and Virtuvius which leaves one starving for more knowlegde of aforementioned subjects. If you have any interest in the classics, history of the ancient world or the development of technology,.... please add this to your library.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic effort, January 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Engineering in the Ancient World (Ancient Culture & Society) (Hardcover)

A very enlightening volume, although it occasionally left me behind and parts will have to be reread when I have looked up some mechanical engineering concepts- but this did not happen often enough to interrupt my enjoyment. A particularly fascinating section briefly discusses why the Greeks didn't quite get to concept of a the steam engine.

Very worthwhile and, sadly, all too brief.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Engineering in the ancient world: spectacular book , July 10, 2006

By	Michal Ruzek (Prague, Czech Republic) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a very amazing which treats a rare subject. There is a lot of books about ancient times, but very few about the science put into practise in the times. This book brings very sophisticated look into the problems and successes of ancient engineers. Their solutions are somewhat ingenious, but there are also problems which could not be solved without the necessary equipment. J.G.Landers has done a great job looking into all that scarce sources related to engineering in the ancient times.
Dont hesitate and buy this book.
Michal Ruzek, Czech Republic