08-10-2006, 03:03 PM
Some more thoughts later, but quickly…
You lost me on this one; the traction trebuchet was superior to Roman twin armed torsion devices? I would argue rather that the Romans get the last laugh here, the Byzantines by introducing the composite trebuchet (traction and counterweight) were likely the ones who provided the actual innovation that but the trebuchet ahead of the classical Roman torsion engines.
Nor was torsion artillery development stagnant. The Hellenistic world aggressively improved the devices, experimented with alternate springs, automation, etc. The Romans were hardly static inheritors either, they seem to have continued to refine and improve the system.
I don’t see how glass is a luxury trinket or rather solely so. The invention of glass lamps and glazed windows were significant improvements in lighting. Glass also provided a cheep effective non-reactive non-porous storage medium for foods and whatnot.
Quote: Why did siege technology not advance for several centuries ? The Chinese had a superior engine - the trebuchet. This invention was independently created without the benefit of Western contact.
You lost me on this one; the traction trebuchet was superior to Roman twin armed torsion devices? I would argue rather that the Romans get the last laugh here, the Byzantines by introducing the composite trebuchet (traction and counterweight) were likely the ones who provided the actual innovation that but the trebuchet ahead of the classical Roman torsion engines.
Nor was torsion artillery development stagnant. The Hellenistic world aggressively improved the devices, experimented with alternate springs, automation, etc. The Romans were hardly static inheritors either, they seem to have continued to refine and improve the system.
Quote: I see your examples, but I'm just not impressed with luxury trinkets
I don’t see how glass is a luxury trinket or rather solely so. The invention of glass lamps and glazed windows were significant improvements in lighting. Glass also provided a cheep effective non-reactive non-porous storage medium for foods and whatnot.
Paul Klos
\'One day when I fly with my hands -
up down the sky,
like a bird\'
\'One day when I fly with my hands -
up down the sky,
like a bird\'
