GREEK AND ROMAN STUDIES 376: ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY (1998)
An introduction to the role of technology in the ancient world, concentrating on primary evidence for the Greek and Roman cultures. Evidence will be drawn primarily from translations of ancient authors and discussion of archaeological remains illustrated in slides and photographs. The survey will touch on developments from the Palaeolithic through the Late Bronze Age, but will emphasize the evolution and capabilities of Greek and Roman technology. Special topics will include the extractive technologies, processing of materials, machinery and gadgets, mass production, engineering, nautical technology, gender, the status of labour, and attitudes towards technology and innovation. In more general terms, this course has been designed to enhance your ability in critical thinking, particularly in the analysis of ancient texts and objects in their social context, and your ability to express and document your ideas clearly in expository prose.
Instructor: Prof. John P. Oleson. Office: Clearihue B423. 721-8519. jpolesonuvic.ca.
Office hours: Monday 2:30-3:20, Thursday 10:00-11:00, or by appointment.
Schedule: Monday/Thursday at 8:30-10:00 in Clearihue A201.
Text:
J. Humphrey, J.P. Oleson, A.N. Sherwood, Greek and Roman Technology: A Sourcebook (London 1998).
Optional Supplementary Readings:
Hodges, H.W., Technology in the Ancient World (New York, 1970) (T16/H63).
Roebuck, C., ed., Muses at Work: Arts, Crafts, and Professions in Ancient Greece and Rome (Cambridge, MA, 1969) (DF78/M84).
Strong, D., and Brown, D., Roman Crafts (London, 1976) (NK680/R64).
K.D. White, Greek and Roman Technology (Ithaca NY, 1984).
Requirements:
(1) Mid-term examination (February 22, 25% of term grade).
(2) Research paper, based largely on material in the sourcebook or other primary evidence (ca. 2,500-3,000 words. Due 29 March. 40% of term grade).
(3) Final examination (35% of term grade).
Examinations will consist of slide identification and discussion, short answer questions, and essays.
Grading System:
Due to the nature of the assignment, I mark research papers with letter grades rather than percentages. The range of A grades indicates excellent work, of B good work, of C fair work, of D poor work, of F failing work or, in extreme cases, failure to complete assigned work by the stated deadlines. The failing grade of E (conditional supplemental) will be assigned only to research papers, and only in the rare cases where failure seems to be the result of a simple mechanical problem. For the mid-term and final examinations, for which percentages .us are calculated, they follow these equivalencies: A range, 100-86%, B range, 85-76%, C range, 75-66%, D range, 65-50%, F range, below 50%. Cheating or plagiarism of any type may result in a grade of F for the term. Spelling, grammar, and style are taken into consideration in grading .us the research papers. I will distribute a cover sheet that sets out in detail my system for evaluating research papers.
Lecture Syllabus and Reading Assignments (subject to alteration in detail):
The only assigned readings are those in the Sourcebook. The "Optional Readings" provided for most lectures are intended simply to provide supplementary material for individuals who miss a lecture or would like to review some images. This material is useful but not required.
Jan. 4: Introduction: The History of Technology and its Sources.
Sourcebook, pp. xv-xxiv.
7: The Appearance of Human Culture: The Rise of Hominids, Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Cultures, The "Neolithic Revolution."
Sourcebook, Chap. 1.
11: Society and Technology. Bronze Age Technology in Egypt, Crete, and Greece.
Optional: Hodges, TAW chap. 3-4.
14: The Spread of Iron-Working. Greek Cultural Attitudes and Early Scientific Philosophy.
Sourcebook, chap. 13.
18: Agriculture and Animal Husbandry.
Sourcebook, chap. 3.
Optional: Roebuck, MAW pp. 148-70.
21: Mining and Quarrying.
Sourcebook, chap. 5.
Optional: White, GRT pp. 113-19, 238-40.
25: Metallurgy.
Sourcebook, chap. 6.
Optional: White, GRT pp. 120-26; Strong, RC 127-41.
28: Guest Lecture.
Feb. 1: Irrigation and Hydraulic Technology.
Sourcebook, chap. 8.
Optional: White, GRT pp. 100-4, 157-73, 214-15, Table 9.
4: Food and Drink.
Sourcebook, chap. 4.
Optional: White, GRT pp. 58-72, Tables 2-4.
8: Metalworking and Tools.
Sourcebook, pp. 331-37.
Optional: Strong, RC pp. 11-61, 143-53.
11: Textiles and Leather.
Sourcebook, pp. 346-71.
Optional: Strong, RC pp. 166-93.
15: Applied Chemistry. Woodworking.
Sourcebook, pp. 337-46, 380-90.
Optional: Strong, RC pp. 155-65.
18: READING BREAK
22: MIDTERM EXAMINATION.
25: Ceramics.
Sourcebook, pp. 371-75.
Optional: Roebuck, MAW pp. 118-46, Strong, RC pp. 75-103.
Mar. 1: Glass.
Sourcebook, pp. 375-80.
Optional: Strong, RC pp. 111-25.
4: The Cultural Role of Transportation. Land Transportation and Roads.
Sourcebook, pp. 409-42.
Optional: White, GRT pp. 127-40, 208-9, 215-16, Table 7.
8: Sea Transportation and Harbours.
Sourcebook, pp. 442-84.
Optional: White, GRT pp. 104-12, 141-56, 201-2, 210-13, Tables 6, 8.
11: Trade, Coinage, Prices, and Wages.
Sourcebook, pp. 484-511.
Optional: Strong, RC pp. 62-73.
15: Literacy and Book Production. Calendars and Time Reckoning.
Sourcebook, chap. 11.
18: Construction Engineering.
Sourcebook, chap. 7.
Optional: White, GRT pp. 73-100, 202-8.
22: Warfare.
Sourcebook, chap. 12.
Optional: White, GRT pp. 217-20.
25: Prime-Movers, Machines, Gadgets.
Sourcebook, chap. 2.
Optional: White, GRT pp. 49-57, 193-201.
29: Attitudes towards technology.
Sourcebook, chap. 13.
RESEARCH PAPER DUE.
Apr. 1: Technological Innovation and the Status of Labour in Classical Antiquity.
Sourcebook, pp. 390-408.
Optional: White, GRT pp. 27-48, 189-93.
FINAL EXAMINATION
RESERVE LIST:
The following titles are in the McPherson Library Reserve Room.
Hodges, H.W., Technology in the Ancient World (New York, 1970) (T16/H63).
J. Humphrey, J.P. Oleson, A.N. Sherwood, Greek and Roman Technology: A Sourcebook (London 1998)(T16/H796).
Roebuck, C., ed., The Muses at Work: Arts, Crafts, and Professions in Ancient Greece and Rome (Cambridge, MA, 1969) (DF78/M84).
Strong, D., and Brown, D., Roman Crafts (London, 1976) (NK680/R64).
White, K.D., Greek and Roman Technology (Ithaca, NY, 1984) (T16/W5).
The following titles are in the stacks, but tagged for 7-Day Loan.
Forbes, R. J. Studies in Ancient Technology, 9 vols. (Leiden, 1964-72). I, Bitumen and Petroleum in Antiquity; II Irrigation and Drainage; III, Cosmetics, Perfumes, and Food; IV, Fibres and Fabrics; V, Leather, Sugar, Glass; VI, Heating and Cooling; VII, Geology, Mining, and Quarrying; VIII, Metallurgy, pt. 1; IX, Metallurgy, pt. 2 (T15/F728).
Landels, J.G., Engineering in the Ancient World (London, 1978) (T16/L36).
Singer, C., et al., edd., A History of Technology, I: From Early Times to the Fall of the Ancient Empires (Oxford, 1954), II: The Mediterranean Civilizations and the Middle Ages (Oxford, 1956) (T15/H53).
I have published an annotated bibliography on ancient technology which is available in the Reference Area (not the Reserve Room). It is, however, somewhat outdated now: J.P. Oleson, Bronze Age, Greek, and Roman Technology: A Select, Annotated Bibliography (New York, 1986) (Ref. Z7914/H5O42). I have prepared a much more extensive and up-to-date computerized database that is organized by technology and can be searched by key words, author, date, or any part of the title. Many of the titles listed are not in our library, but you may find the bibliography useful in any case for your research paper. UVic call numbers are given where known. The bibliography can be accessed in the Student Computing Facility in Clearihue A111. Log on to your COUS users account, then go to TRILLIUM, to Greek and Roman Studies, to JPOLESON, and to Technology Biblio. There are 43 databases organized by subject or technology. You will be able to search the databases by author, title, keywords, etc., using FileMakerPro. Even if you have not used this program, the procedures should be easy to figure out. Please let me know if you find any errors or omissions in the material, or have any suggestions. When you print out a selected set of bibliography, be sure to set the pull-down menu at the top left corner to "POBiblio", or you will wind up printing the whole interface rather than just the data. To examine or search the database, set the same pull-down menu to "Data Entry". You may also want to consult various resources on "the Web," especially for topical bibliographies. There are several sites dealing with nautical archaeology, ancient warfare, and ceramics. Links to the best sites can be found under "Related Web Sites" on the Department of Greek and Roman Studies Home Page, which is accessible through the UVic home page. Note in particular "Roman Art and Archaeology," which will link you to ROMARCH and many other valuable resources, and "Classical and Mediterranean Archaeology."
[rev. 12/98]