Technology and Culture in Greek and Roman Antiquity

Description

The technological achievements of the Greeks and Romans continue to fascinate and excite admiration. But what was the place of technology in their cultures? Through five case-studies, this book sets ancient technical knowledge in its political, social and intellectual context. It explores the definition of the techne of medicine in classical Athens, the development of new military technology in Hellenistic times, the self-image of technicians through funerary art in the early Roman Empire, the resolution of boundary disputes in the early second century AD, and the status of architecture and architects in late antiquity. Deploying a wide range of evidence, it reconstructs a dialectic picture of ancient technology, where several ancient points of view are described and analyzed, and their interaction examined. Dr Cuomo argues for the centrality of technology to the ancient world-picture, and for its extraordinarily rich political, social, economic and religious significance.

S. Cuomo is Lecturer in the History of Science and Technology, Imperial College London.

'Cuomo's present work is at the leading edge of a paradigm shift in the discipline.' Bryn Mawr Classical Review 'It is encouraging to see a scholarly but accessible work that serves not just to inform but to provide a manifesto for future research: 'Let a thousand history-of-technology flowers bloom'.' Journal of Classics Teaching 'In this splendid follow-up to Ancient Mathematics (London, 2001), Serafina Cuomo turns her attention to technology, a subject that is often considered to be on the opposite end of the spectrum of the history of ancient science. ... She writes with an assured grasp of an enormous array of primary sources, and an evident fascination for and engagement with the people, objects and ideas she is discussing. She is also skilled in bringing out the complexities and complications of her material while never despairing of finding a clear route through. Like the ancient technicians, Cuomo has amply demonstrated 'the ability to precipitate change and the ability to produce the useful and necessary'.' British Journal for the History of Science 'This is a very interesting book. As a Key Themes in Ancient History book, it aims to provide a readable, informed and original study of the topic, to indicate the state of current research in the topic, and to show how it is significant for our own as well as for ancient culture and society. Cuomo rises to this challenge ...' Journal of Roman Studies 'Technology and Culture in Greek and Roman Antiquity reads like the dream assignment for every scholar ... and seems like the sort of luxury very few academics have the time or funding to research and publish nowadays.' De novis libris iudicia