1. Water Technology and Infrastructure Development:
– Groundwater exploitation
– Construction of aqueducts for water supply
– Storm water and wastewater sewerage systems
– Flood protection and drainage
– Construction and use of fountains, baths, and other sanitary facilities
– Plumbing systems for sanitation and water supply
– Urban planning with grid-like layouts
– Introduction of winches for various purposes
– Establishment of canal locks for water transport
– Construction of lighthouses for maritime navigation
2. Mining and Metallurgy:
– Extensive silver mines at Laurium
– Ore mining in underground galleries
– Smelting for metal production
– Elaborate washing tables with rainwater
– Use of slaves for mining operations
3. Inventions and Innovations:
– Archimedes screw for lifting substances
– Development of streets and cartography
– Early railway system with the Diolkos
– Use of differential gears in the Antikythera mechanism
– Introduction of the tumbler lock in Greece
– Odometer invented in 3rd century BC
– Chain drive described by Philo of Byzantium
– Cannon invented by Ctesibius of Alexandria
– Double-action principle discovered by Ctesibius
– Levers first described by Archimedes
– Gimbal invented by Philo of Byzantium in 3rd century BC
– Dry dock invented in Ptolemaic Egypt around 200 BC
– Air and water pumps developed by Ctesibius and other Greeks
– Fire hose invented by Heron based on Ctesibius’ pump
– Vending machine described by Heron in 1st century BC
4. Structural Engineering and Mechanical Engineering:
– Development of truss roofs
– Invention of cranes for construction
– Implementation of escapement mechanisms
– Advancements in pneumatic systems
– Early use of spiral staircases in buildings
– Surveying tools mentioned in Alexandrian sources
– Analog computers like the Antikythera mechanism found in 150 BC
– Automatic doors schematics created by Heron in 1st century AD
– Water mill pioneered by the Greeks in 250 BC
5. Maritime Technology and Naval Engineering:
– Three-masted ship (mizzen) first recorded in 240 BC
– Fore-and-aft rig (spritsail) appeared in 2nd century BC
– Sakia gear first appeared in 2nd century BC
– Wind vane featured on the Tower of the Winds in 50 BC
– Clock tower also seen in 50 BC
– Ships and seamanship in the ancient world
– Doric Hexapolis (c.1100– c.560 BC)
– Tower of the Winds’ water clock
– Ship canals in antiquity
– Ancient Greek naval technology
Ancient Greek technology developed during the 5th century BC, continuing up to and including the Roman period, and beyond. Inventions that are credited to the ancient Greeks include the gear, screw, rotary mills, bronze casting techniques, water clock, water organ, the torsion catapult, the use of steam to operate some experimental machines and toys, and a chart to find prime numbers. Many of these inventions occurred late in the Greek period, often inspired by the need to improve weapons and tactics in war. However, peaceful uses are shown by their early development of the watermill, a device which pointed to further exploitation on a large scale under the Romans. They developed surveying and mathematics to an advanced state, and many of their technical advances were published by philosophers, like Archimedes and Heron.
