Lecture 5: Engineering Under Roman Empire

Question 1

When was Rome found?

Answer 1

1. It was found in 735 BC by Romulus.
2. Roman Kingdom (753–510 BC): Ended when Tarquinius Superbus was exiled in 510 BC
3. Roman Republic (510–44 BC): Ended when Julius Caesar came to power in 44 BC
4. Roman Empire (44–500 AD (west), and 1453 (East)): Ended when Constantinople was taken in 1453 AD

Question 2

What is Polybius’s view on the Romans?

Answer 2

He witnesses the rise of the Roman Empire, in his own words, to be a “Greek”, an individual must achieve the highest form of a human being. Otherwise, the individual will become barbaric and primitive.

In this case, he views Roman and primitive beings that captured the Greeks through their military operations.

Question 3

What is the phalanx (?? - 300 BC)?

Answer 3

Composed of 300 men that made a formation by utilizing long spears while using the shield to block direct attacks.

Question 4

What is the Roman 3 line system?

Answer 4

Compose of “4” Lines that equivalent 4200 men, 4 lines = 1 legion.

Question 5

What is the Velites?

Answer 5

1200 young Roman soldiers are carrying large shields to block range weapons.

Question 6

What is the Hastati?

Answer 6

They are the first line of the Roman 3 lines that is composed of 1200 men. Typically, carry large shield and handles the first assault of enemies.

Question 7

What is the Principe?

Answer 7

They are the second line of the Roman 3 lines that is composed of 1200 men. Typically, strong and tall individuals with the largest experience than the Hastati.

Question 8

What is the Tiarii?

Answer 8

They are the last line of the Roman 3 line that is compose of 600 men. Old/veterans with full equipment at their full stamina.

Question 9

How did the Romans get troops?

Answer 9

Romans have to gain alliances to obtain troops

Question 10

What happens in 107 BC?

Answer 10

Before 107 BC, Rome would only recruit soldiers if they are privileged and wealthy. After 107 BC, it was no longer restricted to the wealthy and privileged, but instead offer landless/poor to have a career.

Question 11

What was the reward for joining the Roman Legion after 107 BC?

Answer 11

The soldiers would be rewarded a piece of land, if they survived more than 25 years. This is known as Marius Reform.

Question 12

What are the flaws in the Marius Reform?

Answer 12

The Marius Reform will eventually hold its end of the bargain, which introduces problematic social control, as some soldiers do not like to have land in a cold region such as Britain.

Question 13

What is Castra?

Answer 13

It’s stone fort (winter fort) that educated engineers.

Question 14

What does the Castra demonstrate?

Answer 14

The Roman’s obsession for standardization and engineers.

Question 15

What is the impact of Castra?

Answer 15

It influence the medieval age as it created castles, but most importantly, the fort is always standardized meaning that they always have the same outcome of production. A good analogy to think is a small city.

Question 16

What does a Castra always require?

Answer 16

A running water, both public/private washrooms, and had heating systems

Question 17

What is the Vindolonda Letter (C. 97 - 103 AD)

Answer 17

1. A way to communicate among the Roman society which introduces the mailing system
2. Demonstrate the social life in the social hierarchy as a positive outlook
3. Takes place at the edge of the Roman Empire, such as Hadrian’s hill.

Question 18

What does the Vindolonda Letter have to offer in modern society?

Answer 18

It just shows that during the Roman Empire, the civilization is both literate, social, and women had more right.

Question 19

What is the use of roads?

Answer 19

1.Army transportation

2. Social Control - to make idling soldiers do work and swiftly move the soldiers before a rebellion occurs.

Question 20

How does Roman Engineers design the road?

Answer 20

Used Groma to obtain a right angle, grid plan.

Question 21

What is the process of building the road?

Answer 21

1. Building a Fossa (1.5 m deep trench)
2. Pavimentum (compacted sand or dry earth)
3. Statument (Crushed Rocks)
4. Rudus (Cemented large gravel)
5. Nucleus (cemented sand and small gravel)
6. Summum dorsum (Large stone slabs, road surface)
7. Parallel drainage ditch

Question 22

How do they support these roads?

Answer 22

Infrastructures such as inns, hotels, and changing stations

Question 23

What is the interval for every milestone?

Answer 23

1.5 km

Question 24

What is the Milliarium Auream?

Answer 24

A golden Milestone at the centre of Rome

Question 25

What was Rome built of?

Answer 25

It was built on cement that is composed of lime, volcanic ash, water, and marble. (It would deteoriarate over time)

Question 26

What are the 3 architectural orders?

Answer 26

It was built by:

1. Doric: present in government buildings and common to produce in Rome
2. Ionic: most common to produce but expensive, currently present in government building.
3. Corinthian: most elaborate style but still present to some extent but is very expensive to use, thus it was built for the wealthy

Question 27

How did Rome manage to produce columns?

Answer 27

They built it in sections that fill the remaining openings with debris

Question 28

How does certain buildings of Rome get approved?

Answer 28

1. Funded by the rich Magistrates and the Roman senate
2. It can only be built such as a library, temple, bathhouses, and theatre
3. Cannot be private structures
4. Bigger structure represents the wealth of the individual or family
   Flavian Theatre (colosseum) built by the Vespasian (Flavia family)

Question 29

What does the Flavian Theatre represent?

Answer 29

It was a fragment of imperial propaganda that testifies the prestige and strength of the new emporer of Rome

Question 30

What does the games in the Colosseum represent?

Answer 30

The games represent social control (1) and Panem et circensens (2)
*Panem et circensens means “bread and circuses”

Question 31

What is the largest show?

Answer 31

The largest show is Trajan, 107 AD that lasted 123 AD

Question 32

What is the Circus Maximus?

Answer 32

Largest structure in Rome that can seat 250,000 - 500,000 citizens that is funded by the emperor (1) and games such as chariot riding (2)

Question 33

What is the difference between the Romans and the previously discussed civilization?

Answer 33

Romans built structures for the people whereas the Egyptians and Greeks built tombs and specific structures for specific groups

Question 34

What is the Cloaca Maxima?

Answer 34

It was the largest sewage structure system in Rome that is similar to the modern underground sewer system

Question 35

What is the Venus Cloacina?

Answer 35

‘Stinking Venus’ is a plumbing device by pouring wine and a small donation

Question 36

What entered Rome in 200 BC?

Answer 36

The Greek Philosophy/science

Question 37

Who is Posidonius (135–51 BC)

Answer 37

He developed the correct theory on ocean tides, as the gravitational pull of the moon causes oceans to bulge out in the direction of the moon.

Question 38

Who is Pliny the Elder (24–79 AD)?

Answer 38

He is the first to create the Wikipedia that is a system for collecting information

Question 39

Who is Claudius Ptolemy (127–148 AD)?

Answer 39

He is a mathematician that lived in Alexandria, that is the first to develope a mathematical model of the cosmos and the Almagest.
Not related to Ptolemy I and Ptolemy III

Question 40

What is the aftermath of Rome?

Answer 40

It ended in 300–500 AD with the rise of Christianity.

Question 41

What is the aftermath of Rome?

Answer 41

1. The new capital, Constantinople (300 AD): Christianity take over
2. ‘Sack’ of Rome by Visigoths (410 AD): Visigoths take the bronze hooks
3. Rome deserted (500 AD): marbles were burned and converted to lime

Question 42

What is the Eastern Roman Empire?

Answer 42

Known as the Byzantine Empire that ended in 1453 AD - Constantinople that was conquered by ancient China