Roman Inventions

[Nihonius Legio]

Hi everyone, I'm writing a speech for my Public Speaking class on what the Romans invented to give us what we have today. I've actually had a strangely difficult time finding any good, reputable sources. Does anyone know of some sites that give a fairly large list of Roman inventions that are preferably still in use today in some way shape or form?
Any help is greatly appreciated, I'm way behind on this, and not so good at speeches

[jvrjenivs]

sewerage
watersystems (by aquaducts)
the arch
water-heater (think about bath houses)

Note that the Romans were particulary good at stealing/coppiing the good ideas from allies and enemies, and combining those for the best results.

[Jona Lendering]

Note that the Romans were particulary good at stealing/coppiing the good ideas from allies and enemies, and combining those for the best results.

I think that is correct. Like any major civilization, the Romans were open to other ideas. Their most original contribution, however, is really theirs: Roman Law, which has inspired the shape of Medieval and modern law. (Note: the shape, not the contents.)

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

So...your saying its not legal to put your wife and kids to death for dishonoring you? hock: :oops:

[jvrjenivs]

So...your saying its not legal to put your wife and kids to death for dishonoring you? hock: :oops:

I don't read that in what Jona is saying. But I know their are some Woman rights in the Lex Julii (if I'm right), could also be the Lex Augusti. I also think to remember that a man could say his wife she has to be gone when he got back from bussiness if she was dishonoring him.

[Eleatic Guest]

Hi everyone, I'm writing a speech for my Public Speaking class on what the Romans invented to give us what we have today. I've actually had a strangely difficult time finding any good, reputable sources. Does anyone know of some sites that give a fairly large list of Roman inventions that are preferably still in use today in some way shape or form?
Any help is greatly appreciated, I'm way behind on this, and not so good at speeches

I can ease your pain. ;-) ) I have two, three excellent articles which are up to date and will really help bail you out. Drop me an email.

Actually, I am making a list of my own for some time, and it is getting longer and longer. Contrary to a widespread belief, the Romans were not only good applicators, but also ingenious inventors.

A couple of notable Roman inventions:
- the book (codex)!
- concrete (only reinvented in the 19th century (Portland cement))
- glass blowing and transparent glass

An immense contribution was the introduction of the arch, vault and dome as construction methods (technically, some forms of arches and vaults were occasionally appplied for much longer in the Orient, but the full potential was only realized by the Romans) churches and mosques.

Also, the exploitation of water power began with the Romans (with a Greek prehistory). This is of utmost importance in ther history of technology, as it constitutes the first use of a power ressource on land other than muscles (the only other being sails on ships).

Rarely known Roman inventions:
- the rotary lock (and also combination lock), that is locks were the keys has to be turned
- arch dams
rudimentary newspaper (acta diurna)
- admiralty type anchors
- apartment block, generally high rising urban houses
- lateen sail
- battens on sails
- autobiography (Augustinus: confessiones)
- segmental arch bridges
- cofferdams
- pivoting bridges (Villa Hadriana)
- amphitheatres
- hippodromes
- boarding bridge
- harpax
- swivel chair
- vallus, a harvesting machine
- coaches
- treadwheel crane
- multi-functional knife
- groin vault
- pendentive dome (Hagia Sophia)
- hot house, small scale
- clock tower (tower of the winds on the Agora of Athens)
- artificial harbour basin (hydraulic concrete)
- stern-mounted rudder (Rhine and Mosel)
- radiant heating = floor and wall hypokaust (later, in Villa Hadriana, even dome heating)
- city map (forma urbis Romae)
- road tunnels
- counterfactual history (Livius on Alexander marching westwards)
- rudimentary Science Fiction ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_History )
- rudimentary ball bearings (Nemi ships)
- tambour
- early shopping mall (Trajan's market, the roofed parts)
- pressure lines (aqueducts)
- screw press
- street lighting (Antiochia, Ephesos main street)

and many others (you get the idea). Go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_technology

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

So...your saying its not legal to put your wife and kids to death for dishonoring you? hock: :oops:

I don't read that in what Jona is saying. But I know their are some Woman rights in the Lex Julii (if I'm right), could also be the Lex Augusti. I also think to remember that a man could say his wife she has to be gone when he got back from bussiness if she was dishonoring him.

That was a joke Jurjenivs...... 8)

[M. Demetrius]

Kinda fringey, but I got it. Be wary, the PC crowd will be on you like brown on rice....

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Well, it was legal back then..... was it not?

[Robert Vermaat]

So...your saying its not legal to put your wife and kids to death for dishonoring you? hock: :oops:

I don't read that in what Jona is saying. But I know their are some Woman rights in the Lex Julii (if I'm right), could also be the Lex Augusti. I also think to remember that a man could say his wife she has to be gone when he got back from bussiness if she was dishonoring him.

That was a joke Jurjenivs...... 8)

Aaah.. I was assuming he referred to that Rome series... 8)

A thread about Romans and inventions

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Well, in a half as$*ed sort of way.....

[PhilusEstilius]

You forgot fast food Stefan.

[Nihonius Legio]

They invented fast food huh? Well they had plenty of olive oil to fry everything in I guess. I know the Romans (especially plebs) ate at restaurants most of the time, which were usually placed on the ground floor of appartment buildings, or between two buildings.
I've been findings sites that say Romans did not invent aqueducts or concrete, but just improved on older versions of other cultures. They say Mesopotamians made the first aqueducts, but the Romans made the best, and that other cultures before Rome made concrete with gypsum instead of volcanic ash. I'm pretty sure though that I heard from the History Channel that Romans really did invent concrete. Anyone have more knowlege on this? I also heard a funny thing that Romans invented the popsicle....

[Nihonius Legio]

Oh ya, if you guys know the names of the inventions in Latin, that is a great help. When I type in one of Stefan's suggestions for "coaches" even if I include "+roman" all I get is sports stuff. The Latin helps, a search for "Codex" works alot better than "book".

[P. Clodius Secundus]

Actually, I am making a list of my own for some time, and it is getting longer and longer. Contrary to a widespread belief, the Romans were not only good applicators, but also ingenious inventors.

Rarely known Roman inventions:....

- vallus, a harvesting machine

Actually, I'd be cautious about attributing the vallus solely to the Romans. It originated in Belgic Gaul particualrly among the Treveri Tribe. Most attribute this to the influence of a "retired" roman soldier manging his newly granted lands in occupied Gaul. That's pure speculation. Pliny the Elder described as a novelty used in that region. There are several suggested reasons why it wasn't developed and never caught on in Rome. Roman fields apparently tended to be smalller, they focused more on other lucrative crops (grapes, olives etc..), and most importanly this was a labor saving device. When you have a cheap and reliable labor source, i.e. slaves, saving labor isn't a major concern. Romans are known for adopting and improving existing ideas. Apparently they didn't value this one enough to give it more than a passing mention.
On the other hand, among the Treveri, many of whom fought against Caesar at Alesia, Vallus is a common name. Why would they name themselves after a Roman invention? I have been discussing this very topic recently with RAT member Treveri Gaul. His real last name?? Vallus! He has sent me some of the information he has compiled for a book on the subject. From what I understand, many of them fled before the occupation and wound up in Hungary and Romania where hand held versions of the reaper were still in use until recently.