Great courses

"Course No. 1132"--Container

Disc 1: technology in the classical world -- The substance of technology: materials -- From quarry to temple: building in stone -- Stone masonry perfected: the Greek temple -- From temple to basilica: timber roof systems -- Construction revolution: arches and concrete -- disc 2: Construction in transition: the Colosseum -- The genesis of a new imperial architecture -- The most celebrated edifice: the Pantheon -- Cities by design: the rise of urban planning -- Connecting the empire: roads and bridges -- From source to city: water supply systems -- disc 3: Engineering a Roman aqueduct -- Go with the flow: urban water distribution -- Paradigm and paragon: imperial Roman baths -- Harnessing animal power: land transportation -- Leveraging human power: construction cranes -- Lifting water with human power -- disc 4: Milling grain with water power -- Machines at war: siege towers and rams -- Machines at war: evolution of the catapult -- Machines at sea: ancient ships -- Reconstructing the Greek Trireme -- Modern legacy of ancient technology

An introduction to basic engineering principles and the science behind them. The course gives a new perspective on one of the most productive periods in the history of civilization. In case after case, you will find that engineering solutions reached during this era would not be surpassed for another thousand years or more

24 lectures, 30 minutes per lecture

Presenter, Stephen Ressler, United States Military Academy at West Point

DVD