In his classic book, J. G. Landels describes the technological advances of the Greeks and Romans with erudition and enthusiasm. He provides an important introduction to engineering, writing about power and energy sources, water engineering, cranes, and transportation devises. From aqueducts to catapults, he attempts to envision machines as they may have worked in the ancient world. He then traces the path of knowledge taken by early thinkers--including Plato, Pliny, and Archimedes--in developing early theories of engineering and physics.
We are all aware of the great achievements of Greeks and Romans in art, culture, philosophy, and regrettably, war, but not so many of us know of their ability to create remarkable machines. This book gives an insight into their engineering know-how.