An Ancient Computer? YES, it was!
How sophisticated was the Ancient Roman society? Well -- the Roman Empire united all lands that surrounded the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The Romans called the Mediterranean Sea "Mare Nostrum" or "Our Sea" and they were the last able to say that. Their Empire has been unequaled since its end in 476 A.D. The society itself was amazingly sophisticated. In fact, "Scientific American" the leading science magazine in the United States did a cover story on an Ancient Roman and Greek artifact: the Antikythera Mechanism. This link will take you to that article. It is known as an early analog computer to compute astronomical positions and determine the date for the next Olympic games. For more on this amazing device, go to this:
Antikythera Mechanism.
You may want to see the video at the top about this marvelous wonder of the Ancient World.
Realize that just because we call them Ancient does not mean irrelevant nor boring nor dead. You are starting an amazing study charming us even today. Look at the Latin incantations of Harry Potter or the movies still produced using Ancient Roman themes, such as "Gladiator" or "Rome" the HBO movie, or the films from mythology. We are still interested in what Rome was and means.
You are probably already aware that legal and medical terms today still use Latin phrases capturing the knowledge and wisdom of Ancient learning. We are the heirs of the wisdom of others, each building on the contributions from before. Rome -- is a foundation of the entire Western World -- let's now start looking at what she gave and what she was. Her contribution is much bigger than just Latin but we start there.
Next. Click on Our Textbook in the toolbar, above, to learn more about how, together, we will learn Latin. My job here, as your teacher, is to present, in measured amounts, new vocabulary and grammar building on every previous lesson creating mastery of something rich and new. I hope you enjoy our learning together as much as I have enjoyed creating this site for you.
If you wish, check out Rome in 3D through Google Earth on our toolbar, left. You will see the City as it existed, can explore its streets, and find out about important buildings some existing today.
Also, the Latin exists in our personal names, even Irish ones like mine. My name, James Murray, the last name is Latin. (The Latin 'mare' means 'sea.' Say the word 'mare' and now say my last name. 'Murray' is Gaelic or Irish meaning 'Hound of the Sea', and it comes from the Latin. So too is the name 'Murphy' a sea-related name. The Latin permeated through to the shores of distant Ireland; indeed, there are those who claim it was the Irish who saved Western civilization. Link. Sorry, I just had to get a plug in there for my ancestors somehow.)
How sophisticated was the Ancient Roman society? Well -- the Roman Empire united all lands that surrounded the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The Romans called the Mediterranean Sea "Mare Nostrum" or "Our Sea" and they were the last able to say that. Their Empire has been unequaled since its end in 476 A.D. The society itself was amazingly sophisticated. In fact, "Scientific American" the leading science magazine in the United States did a cover story on an Ancient Roman and Greek artifact: the Antikythera Mechanism. This link will take you to that article. It is known as an early analog computer to compute astronomical positions and determine the date for the next Olympic games. For more on this amazing device, go to this:
Antikythera Mechanism.
You may want to see the video at the top about this marvelous wonder of the Ancient World.
Realize that just because we call them Ancient does not mean irrelevant nor boring nor dead. You are starting an amazing study charming us even today. Look at the Latin incantations of Harry Potter or the movies still produced using Ancient Roman themes, such as "Gladiator" or "Rome" the HBO movie, or the films from mythology. We are still interested in what Rome was and means.
You are probably already aware that legal and medical terms today still use Latin phrases capturing the knowledge and wisdom of Ancient learning. We are the heirs of the wisdom of others, each building on the contributions from before. Rome -- is a foundation of the entire Western World -- let's now start looking at what she gave and what she was. Her contribution is much bigger than just Latin but we start there.
Next. Click on Our Textbook in the toolbar, above, to learn more about how, together, we will learn Latin. My job here, as your teacher, is to present, in measured amounts, new vocabulary and grammar building on every previous lesson creating mastery of something rich and new. I hope you enjoy our learning together as much as I have enjoyed creating this site for you.
If you wish, check out Rome in 3D through Google Earth on our toolbar, left. You will see the City as it existed, can explore its streets, and find out about important buildings some existing today.
Also, the Latin exists in our personal names, even Irish ones like mine. My name, James Murray, the last name is Latin. (The Latin 'mare' means 'sea.' Say the word 'mare' and now say my last name. 'Murray' is Gaelic or Irish meaning 'Hound of the Sea', and it comes from the Latin. So too is the name 'Murphy' a sea-related name. The Latin permeated through to the shores of distant Ireland; indeed, there are those who claim it was the Irish who saved Western civilization. Link. Sorry, I just had to get a plug in there for my ancestors somehow.)
pANTHEON AND CEMENT
This is the interior of the Pantheon, today a Christian church, then the temple of all major Roman gods. The opening you see is the window letting light inside. The entire building is made of poured concrete. The ability to mix and use concrete was lost with the fall of Rome and not re-discovered until the 1700's.
Use this link to read more about this extraordinary structure, the Pantheon.
Use this link to learn about Roman concrete. You will be amazed. If you are interested in architecture, then you will find this video worthwhile.
Use this link to read more about this extraordinary structure, the Pantheon.
Use this link to learn about Roman concrete. You will be amazed. If you are interested in architecture, then you will find this video worthwhile.
If you have the time and interest, the History Channel has produced this great film on the Antykithera mechanism. It's over 45 minutes long but very interesting. Watch only if you want to know more about this most amazing device.