The timeless technologies of ancient Rome

ancient romeThousands of years after its collapse, it is still known for its ingenious engineering techniques and advanced technologies. Roman engineers built hundreds of roads stretching for thousands of kilometers. They also created a water source that fed millions of people and provided the best technology of its time. Of course, what they did was not limited to these.

The advanced civilization of the Romans technology, culture and in architecture It has led to unprecedented advances for centuries. for you before of the Sumerians and Ancient EgyptWe wrote the technology of . In this article, which is a continuation of the series, we have written 6 reasons why the Romans had a civilization beyond their time.


The civilization of the Sumerians that sheds light on today’s technology

The Sumerians were a highly advanced civilization in technology. It has its signatures in many technologies, from the number system to mass production.

“All roads lead to Rome”

All roads lead to Rome.“Many of us know this saying. Roman Empire, approximately 4.5 million square kilometers covered an area. To effectively manage such a large area, the Romans built the most complex road system the ancient world had ever seen.

ancient roman roads

Ancient Roman technologies, of course, cannot be compared with today’s. However Saint Louis Science CenterAccording to , at least extending from the capital 80 thousand kilometers long roads were quite advanced compared to the period. The Romans used different engineering techniques to explore, clear and flatten suitable terrain for roads between cities.

These Roman roads, many of which are still in use, granite or from hardened volcanic lava It was made with a mixture of soil, gravel and brick. Romans on routes along with footpaths tunnels and bridges also built.

Roman empire roads
(Photo: Atlantide Phototravel/Corbis)

Thanks to the extensive road network, military personnel were advancing extremely quickly. Citizens were also able to travel easily thanks to the direction signs. In addition, these roads made trade efficient.

The Roman road network was used to conquer and hold large amounts of land. The engineering techniques used by the Romans were based on many modern roads in Europe.

There are also aqueducts among the ancient Roman technologies!

Romans with aqueducts It has revolutionized the use of water. The capital city, Rome, provides water to its citizens. to 11 aqueducts he had. This water source not only helped maintain an enormous population, but also public health and sanitation also provided.

Ancient Roman aqueducts
(Photo: lilisphotography)

Firstly B.C. 312 Roman aqueducts built around the city were approaching the city at an inclined angle. Roman engineers dug tunnels through mountains at higher elevations to allow pipes to pass through deeper terrain. stone walls made.

HistoryWhen water reaches a city, citizens drinking water, public bath water and for the rich water supply providing a variety to tanks states that it has been transferred. Rome’s famous Trevi Fountain, restored Aqua Virgo he’s using his belt water.

Romans were advanced in battlefield medicine

Third place among ancient Roman technologies medicine exists. In fact, the pioneers in caesarean section were the Romans. But the real medical development AugustusIt happened with the field surgery unit founded by . For despite being wounded in battle, the soldiers of ancient Rome generally lived longer than the average citizen.

Ancient Roman medical technologies

These specially trained paramedics, stop blood loss He has saved countless lives using hemostatic tourniquets and arterial surgical clamps. Roman field doctors also performed physical examinations on new recruits. They prevented the spread of diseases by controlling the sanitary conditions in the military camps.

gladiator movie
Russell Crowe as General Maximus in the movie Gladiator.

However, they have also been known to disinfect tools in hot water before using them. Thus, until the 19th century it was not fully adopted. antiseptic surgery pioneered the genre. In short, the battlefield in Ancient Rome was the best place for surgeons to gain experience.

What is the difference between ancient Roman arches?

belts approximately for 4,000 years but the ancient Romans used them differently. Although arches existed thousands of years before Ancient Rome, the Romans colosseums, aqueducts, bridges and other buildings It revolutionized architecture by using it to build

ancient roman arches

The ingenious design of the arch allowed the weight of the buildings to be evenly distributed by the various supports. Thus, they prevented huge Roman structures such as the Colosseum from falling apart under their own weight.

Roman engineers straightened the arches a segmental belt He developed it to create stronger supports that could fill large gaps when used in bridges and aqueducts by repeating them at various intervals. Arch with columns, domes and vaulted ceilings, Roman architecture was one of its defining features.

Importance of concrete production in Ancient Rome

used 2,100 years ago roman concrete It was also ahead of its time. So that Pantheon, Colosseum and Roman Forum Many ancient Roman structures, such as these, are still standing today, thanks to the development of Roman cement and concrete. Romans lime and volcanic rock Using it, he made magnificent mortars that can be seen even thousands of years later.

Ancient Roman technologies and architecture

Roman concrete is, of course, much weaker than modern examples. However, to create a sticky effect calcium hydroxide and pozzolana (a volcanic ash) used to make it quite durable. Tuff Combined with volcanic rocks called volcanic rocks, this ancient cement formed a concrete that could withstand chemical degradation.

In addition, pozzolana allowed Roman concrete to harden quickly, even when submerged in seawater. In this way, the Romans bathrooms, ports and piers built it.

ancient roman colosseums

Roman concrete was revolutionary in ancient architecture for several reasons. First, this concrete mold layers when it spills is flexible and takes the shape of its container. Second, for the foundation of buildings to cut stone pouring concrete into molds does not require much skill compared to cheap made it. Finally, concrete was simply compared to previous construction methods used in the ancient world. more strong and more time it was efficient.

Ancient Romans developed the Julian Calendar

The first Roman calendars were probably taken from Greek models calculating the cycles of the Moon. However, considering even numbers to be unlucky, the Romans changed the calendar so that each month had an odd number of days. Here is this practice of the Romans, Julius Caesar and astronomer SosigenesBC when they established the Julian system. It lasted until 46.

What is the Julian calendar?

Caesar added the number of days in a year from 355, which we now accept. to 365 took it out. Finally, the 12 months as we know them today were formed. Also, every year 6 hours was also increasing. Moreover, these clocks now make a day in 4 years.

However, 365 days were not evenly divided into 12. Thereupon Caesar gave an order; It will fall one day in February! So February is every 4 years 30 days while in other years 29 days it happened. Here, the victim was February because it was the last month of the year at that time. They also considered the first month to be March.

What are ancient Roman technologies?

The Julian calendar was almost perfect. But they miscalculated the solar year with 11 minutes. Ultimately, those few minutes of miscalculation pushed the calendar back a few days. Ultimately, what was nearly the same in 1582 Gregorian calendar appeared.

Additional information: Caesar’s self-titled Julias/July (July) had 31 days, and was named after him by Augustus, who became emperor after him. August (August) It was 30 days. Then Augustus took another day from February and gave it to his own month. For this reason, February is still 29 days every four years, but 28 days in other years.

Are you sad for February too? We welcome your comments on our content…

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