Ancient Engineering
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Product Description
MODERN engineering has become so extended and specialized in all directions, that its relation to ancient engineering, if such a thing exists, is apparently almost inconceivable. The relation does exist, however, in a marked and interesting manner and Mr. Gest has laid engineers of the present time and others interested in the subject, under a debt of obligation to him for the interesting volume he has produced.
Preface
IN ORDER to appreciate our Debt to Greece I and Rome, as illustrated by Engineering, it is necessary to show some connection between the old engineering and the new. At first sight it may be thought that there is no continuity between the engineering of the ancient and of the modern world and that no connection can be traced. This was my earlier opinion; but reading and reflection have taught me that the connection referred to is as real in the field of engineering as it is, for example, in that of literature or of law.
Engineering is so closely connected with material progress that the history of engineering parallels the history of civilization; and just as the Greek and Roman civilization, as a whole, profoundly affected the civilization of modern Europe, we discover that the ancient engineering, so important a factor in the old civilization, is an equally important factor in our Debt. Further, as engineering achievements of the Romans were not confined to Rome. or even to Italy, but were extended throughout all of their provinces, and were one of the means of promoting their civilization, a brief review of the characteristic features of the Roman dominion will help us to gain a clearer view of the relation of their engineering works to the people of the provinces and to the people who came after them. The intention of this book is, rather, to indicate the relation of Greek and Roman engineering to the Debt which modern civilization owes to Greece and Rome, than to present a technical account of ancient engineering, such as an engineer would naturally require.
At the same time it has seemed important to make that account sufficiently comprehensive to show the magnitude and extent of the ancient works, whose remains are found everywhere through the old empire, and which included every variety of engineering then possible.
It has been my aim to avoid unnecessary technicalities, but, owing to the nature of the subject, it has been impossible to avoid them altogether. Those who desire more complete information are referred to the exhaustive treatises of the French engineers Leger and Choisy, and to the valuable German works of Merckel and Durm, to the descriptions of the aqueducts by Mr. Clemens Herschel, to the works of the eminent Italian archaeologist Rodolfo Lanciani, and to Professor Burrs Ancient and Modern Engineering; to these and to many others I am indebted for details of information and to them all I freely acknowledge my obligations.
I also gratefully acknowledge the material assistance of the Editors of the series, who, besides their careful revision of my manuscript, have contributed some portion of the text, thereby notably enhancing the archaeological and literary value of the book.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
PREFACE
I. INTRODUCTORY
II. EARLY ENGINEERING WORKS
III. THE GREEK AND ROMAN ENGINEERS
IV. MATERIALS AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION
V. THE AQUEDUCTS
VI. THE ROADS
VII. BRIDGES AND TUNNELS
VIII. TOWN-PLANNING, WALLS, AND LIMITES
IX. CLOACAE, CANALS, REGLAMATIONS, AND HARBORS
X. THE CONTINUANCE OF THE ROMAN TRADITION AFTER THE FALL OF THE EMPIRE
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