Roman Inventions

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

I think the bonus of Roman cement/concrete is that it sets under water.
I could be wrong, and apologise if someone already stated this.

[Treveri Gaul]

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.

Thanks Randi.

The Vallus reaper it Treveri my ancestors developed it Mosel at river. That is sure. Spread from there onto Treveri northern part Buzenol/into Virton area.

Roman veteranus made it's? :lol:

Plinius writes about the reaper in 70 BC. was a Roman cavalry officer at a Treveri cavalry.

how it is possible to demobilize a soldier on the doorstep of the war, and to settle down between the hostile Celtic some, that let him be able to cultivate land?

That is spekulation.

Vale

Vallus Istvan from Treveri tribe

[jkaler48]

Another notable Roman invention was the analog computer.

[Tarbicus]

- street lighting (Antiochia, Ephesos main street)

Wasn't that specifically gas street lighting?

Were chimneys invented by them as well (Herculaneum or Pompey examples)?

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Another notable Roman invention was the analog computer.

Naaaa, tha twas Greek mate! :wink:

[Proximus]

If I may :

sewerage
watersystems (by aquaducts)

Er... was it not greek ? Athens did not had aquaducts well before rome and provinces did ?

Idem about sewerage ?

- amphitheatres

Er... Greek ?

- hippodromes

Er... Re-greek ?



I must admit I think I do not have the same view of roman inventions... Maybe mine is not good but all those thinks I was sure it was not roman inventions !

[Proximus]

Oh, yes, "amphitheatre"... Missread the "amphi"thing Sorry, my fault.

But I maintain for aquaduct and sewerage I never read roman where first, even if they used those as it should be, and even more.