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    Technology and culture in Greek and Roman antiquity

    Cuomo, Serafina (2007) Technology and culture in Greek and Roman antiquity. Key Themes In Ancient History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521810739.

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    Abstract

    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. • Offers five in-depth, varied case-studies, each with a slightly different methodological focus • Covers a broad period from classical Athens to late antiquity and a wide range of disciplines • Only book of its kind to make extensive use of non-textual material and of the newest historiographical approaches from both classics and the history of science and technology Contents Introduction; 1. The definition of techne in classical Athens; 2. The Hellenistic military revolution; 3. Death and the craftsman; 4. Boundary disputes in the Roman Empire; 5. Architects of late antiquity; Epilogue.

    Metadata

    Item Type: Book
    Additional Information: This record includes only a sample chapter from the book as permitted by the publisher. The attached document is 'Death and the craftsman' - chapter three. The figures are not included. An excerpt from the introduction to this book is available from the publisher's website at: http://www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521810739&ss=exc © Cambridge University Press 2007. Reprinted with permission.
    School: Birkbeck Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of Historical Studies
    Depositing User: Sandra Plummer
    Date Deposited: 08 Jan 2008 11:40
    Last Modified: 02 Aug 2023 16:47
    URI: https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/629

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