Roman Engineering: Crash Course History of Science #6
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Date: 2022-04-04
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Comments and reviews: 10
47f0
If the Romans had possessed a competent numbering system, Western engineering (and possibly science) could possibly have advanced centuries ahead of where we are now. But, as it was, trying to do anything advanced depended, for example, on the ability to do such things as easily multiplying a number by CCCLV/CXIII (which happens to be a useful approximation of Pi. Which is why Roman engineering tends to be characterized as large and linear - while they had arches and domes, they were more a case of engineering by template rather than math and were typically sub-optimal in shape, achieving strength and longevity mainly by being massively overbuilt. Analysis of whether an elliptical, caternary or parabolic arch would be optimal for a given project had to wait - for about fifteen centuries and a better numbering system.
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If the Romans had possessed a competent numbering system, Western engineering (and possibly science) could possibly have advanced centuries ahead of where we are now. But, as it was, trying to do anything advanced depended, for example, on the ability to do such things as easily multiplying a number by CCCLV/CXIII (which happens to be a useful approximation of Pi. Which is why Roman engineering tends to be characterized as large and linear - while they had arches and domes, they were more a case of engineering by template rather than math and were typically sub-optimal in shape, achieving strength and longevity mainly by being massively overbuilt. Analysis of whether an elliptical, caternary or parabolic arch would be optimal for a given project had to wait - for about fifteen centuries and a better numbering system.
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Daniel
Science worries about -why- and falls down ever deeper rabit holes. Like gravity. After 5 or 10 whys you end at particle coliders and Higgs Boson and Probably. Answering the next level of why is nobel prize nomination worthy. Interesting, but not dirrctly usefull day to day.
Engineering worries about -how- only to the detail necessary to accomplish the goal and then you are done. How does a car work? Put car in forward gear and push gas pedal and car goes forward, good enough, done. Next?
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Science worries about -why- and falls down ever deeper rabit holes. Like gravity. After 5 or 10 whys you end at particle coliders and Higgs Boson and Probably. Answering the next level of why is nobel prize nomination worthy. Interesting, but not dirrctly usefull day to day.
Engineering worries about -how- only to the detail necessary to accomplish the goal and then you are done. How does a car work? Put car in forward gear and push gas pedal and car goes forward, good enough, done. Next?
reply
JadedPandaGirl
-Inherited- knowledge from the Greeks. eeeeeh more like straight up appropriated everything. The Roman brainwashing of Greece is so complete we still think the Byzantine Empire as Greek and still agree to be referred to as 'Romans' in ye olde poetry. Yeah, no.
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-Inherited- knowledge from the Greeks. eeeeeh more like straight up appropriated everything. The Roman brainwashing of Greece is so complete we still think the Byzantine Empire as Greek and still agree to be referred to as 'Romans' in ye olde poetry. Yeah, no.
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Carlos
10: 49 Is a phrase that sounds good, but it is false. The tools that previous civilizations left us are as good as they are useful. They are not as good as how well those civilization fit our modern ideals and morality.
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10: 49 Is a phrase that sounds good, but it is false. The tools that previous civilizations left us are as good as they are useful. They are not as good as how well those civilization fit our modern ideals and morality.
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Diana
The beginning discussion of this episode reminds me of the whole question of anaesthetics. Like, we've gotten pretty good at using them effectively and safely, but we still have no f'ing clue how they actually work.
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The beginning discussion of this episode reminds me of the whole question of anaesthetics. Like, we've gotten pretty good at using them effectively and safely, but we still have no f'ing clue how they actually work.
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Cato
-Oh some women- some privileged white girl who had no responsibilities. Had nothing to do but stare off into the heavens. Was she married? How did she provide for herself? Seriously, ancient times here
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-Oh some women- some privileged white girl who had no responsibilities. Had nothing to do but stare off into the heavens. Was she married? How did she provide for herself? Seriously, ancient times here
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oh
i-m trying to research for a debate -was the scientific revolution really a revolution? - and all of the videos are basically helping the affirmative side. i-m on the opposing side -
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i-m trying to research for a debate -was the scientific revolution really a revolution? - and all of the videos are basically helping the affirmative side. i-m on the opposing side -
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Rex
1: 23
North Indian King: We're prepared to defend against Alexander
Prime Minister: Using our deadly Elephants, my lord?
North Indian King: Rajesh, open the dams!
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1: 23
North Indian King: We're prepared to defend against Alexander
Prime Minister: Using our deadly Elephants, my lord?
North Indian King: Rajesh, open the dams!
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LitMonika
greek-sympathiser plebs:
-romans stole greek brain thinkings-
Chadvs Magni:
-Where did the Romans come from? -
pleb:
-. s-shut up greeks is smart-
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greek-sympathiser plebs:
-romans stole greek brain thinkings-
Chadvs Magni:
-Where did the Romans come from? -
pleb:
-. s-shut up greeks is smart-
reply
bad
pretty apt expect that the legions built many of the roads, aqueducts, and fortifications as make work to keep them too busy to think about rebellion.
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pretty apt expect that the legions built many of the roads, aqueducts, and fortifications as make work to keep them too busy to think about rebellion.
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