When we think of the ancient Greeks and their contributions to mankind what comes to mind is philosophy, theories in maths and physics, astronomy, fine arts, theatre and architecture, and of course giving the world the political system of governance considered to be the most effective and just in history, democracy. But their feats in the technological field have remained to a large extent in relative obscurity. One of the most popular ones that springs to mind is the ‘Antikythera Mechanism’, an ancient analog computer created to predict the astronomical positions of the celestial bodies for religious purposes. The goal of the Museum of the Ancient Greek Technology set up by Kostas Kotsanas, a high school principal from Pyrgos, Elia in the Peloponnese is to educate the people on the lesser known technological advancements of the ancient Greeks. The exhibits include approximately 300 operating models of ancient Greek inventions. Here are some of the practical inventions exhibited at the museum, in Katakolo Ilia.
1. The Static automatic theatre of Heron of Alexandria.
This was built by Philion of Byzantium (3rd Century BC) and improved by Philon of Alexanfdria in the 1st Century AD. It was an automated theatre presenting scenes for almost 10 minutes without interruption. It was powered with a binary-like system of ropes, knots and machines operated by a rotating cylindrical cogwheel.
2. The hydraulic clock of Archimedes
This device was built with a set of automatically moving objects, with the main storage container supplying the water It was use to measure time.
3. The Automatic servant robot of Philon of Byzantium
This is considered the first robot invented. Placing a cup in the robot’s left hand it would the right hand holding a jug of wine would fill the cup. The robot was constructed through a complex construction of tubes, air pipes and winding springs.
4. Archimedes’ Screw
Archimedes of Syracuse (287 BC-212 BC) constructed the screw in order to remove bilge water from a large 600-person capacity cruise ship commissioned by King Hiero II. It was a device with a revolving screw-shaped blade inside a cylinder.
5. Archimedes’ Claw
The Claw of Archimedes, also known as the ‘iron hand’ was an ancient weapon devised to defend the walls of Syracuse against amphibious assault. It was a crane-like device with a grappling hook that was able to lift attacking ships.
6. The repeating catapult (Polybolos) of Dionysus of Alexandria (3rd Century BC)
It was the machine gun of the ancient days. It was different from the conventional ballista of the days in that it had a wooden magazine on top holding several dozen bolts. The mechanism is unique because t is driven by a plat-link chain, allowing it to continuously fire bolts.
7. Archimedes’ Burning Mirrors
Once again Archimedes is prominent in the list with yet another military invention, also called ‘The Archimedes heat ray’. The device was used to direct sunlight on approaching enemy ships, causing them to catch fire.
For more information visit http://kotsanas.com/gb/index.php
