04-27-2006, 12:57 PM
Hello,
there is a widespread opinion, both among scholars and laymen, that the late Roman Empire showed a distinct lack of technological inventions and advancements.
And indeed, I can think hardly of any new important invention between AD 100 and the Byzantine period! Why is there such a long dry spell between the invention of cement and blowing glass in the early empire and a kind of technological renaissance under Justinian (Hagia Sophia's dome, his extensive laws codification).
I mean, it hasnt to be such groundbreaking inventions every other day, but even in terms of smaller technological steps there seems to be a peculiar absence of evidence. And what were the innovative Greeks doing in the meantime?
David Landes in his 'Wealth and Poverty of Nations goes so far as to declare the break up of the Roman Empire a good thing, as it helpt to set free again the will and need for innovation of the people. And even such a sympathetic historians like William McNeill phases in his' Rise of the West' the prime-age of the Greco-Romano civilisation out by AD 200 - well before its demise - and sees the cultural and technological lead move again in eastern direction, this time to the far east (first India, later China).
So, my question is: Was there a distinct lack of technological progress in late Roman Empire or has changed scholarly opinion lately in view of new and contrary evidence? And why was this so, why did the Greco-Roman world lose its position as cultural and technological leader it had kept for pretty long (McNeill gives in his world history a leadership phase of 500 BC to AD 200)?
Perhaps we could start by making a simple brain storming of new important inventions after AD 100 (The dates should only gives a rough orientation and do not necessarily mark the introduction of something new) My start:
- cheiroballista (AD 100) = real field artillery
- Overshot multiple water mills (300s) of Arles: http://www.waterhistory.org/histories/barbegal/
- lateen sails: shaky evidence in the 400s and 500s
What more?
Regards
there is a widespread opinion, both among scholars and laymen, that the late Roman Empire showed a distinct lack of technological inventions and advancements.
And indeed, I can think hardly of any new important invention between AD 100 and the Byzantine period! Why is there such a long dry spell between the invention of cement and blowing glass in the early empire and a kind of technological renaissance under Justinian (Hagia Sophia's dome, his extensive laws codification).
I mean, it hasnt to be such groundbreaking inventions every other day, but even in terms of smaller technological steps there seems to be a peculiar absence of evidence. And what were the innovative Greeks doing in the meantime?
David Landes in his 'Wealth and Poverty of Nations goes so far as to declare the break up of the Roman Empire a good thing, as it helpt to set free again the will and need for innovation of the people. And even such a sympathetic historians like William McNeill phases in his' Rise of the West' the prime-age of the Greco-Romano civilisation out by AD 200 - well before its demise - and sees the cultural and technological lead move again in eastern direction, this time to the far east (first India, later China).
So, my question is: Was there a distinct lack of technological progress in late Roman Empire or has changed scholarly opinion lately in view of new and contrary evidence? And why was this so, why did the Greco-Roman world lose its position as cultural and technological leader it had kept for pretty long (McNeill gives in his world history a leadership phase of 500 BC to AD 200)?
Perhaps we could start by making a simple brain storming of new important inventions after AD 100 (The dates should only gives a rough orientation and do not necessarily mark the introduction of something new) My start:
- cheiroballista (AD 100) = real field artillery
- Overshot multiple water mills (300s) of Arles: http://www.waterhistory.org/histories/barbegal/
- lateen sails: shaky evidence in the 400s and 500s
What more?
Regards
Stefan (Literary references to the discussed topics are always appreciated.)
