Top 8 Ancient Roman Technologies | History Countdown

Summary

The script explores eight remarkable Roman innovations that have stood the test of time, including the Acta Diurna, an early form of daily newspaper; the enduring legacy of Roman concrete in structures like the Coliseum; the extensive road system that facilitated trade and military campaigns; the invention of the codex, revolutionizing book-making; advanced Roman plumbing systems; the pioneering welfare system under Emperor Trajan; Hero of Alexandria's early vending machine; and the sophisticated surgical tools that gave the Romans an edge in medical treatment.

Takeaways

• 📰 The Romans created the Acta Diurna, an early form of daily newspapers, which were initially private accounts of senate meetings but later became public documents featuring social, political, and criminal events.
• 🏟 Roman concrete is renowned for its longevity and resistance to erosion, especially in seawater, due to a unique combination of slaked lime and volcanic ash that allows it to set quickly and thrive underwater.
• 🛣 The Roman Empire is known for its extensive road system, which at its peak spanned 50,000 miles, facilitating efficient trade, communication, and military movement.
• 📚 Romans were pioneers in the creation of bound books, called codices, which revolutionized the way information was stored and disseminated, predating the invention of the printing press.
• 💧 Roman advancements in plumbing included the construction of aqueducts to supply freshwater and an underground system of lead pipes and sewers to manage waste.
• 🍞 The Roman welfare system, beginning with lex frumentaria and later alimenta, provided subsidized grain and financial support to citizens, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to social welfare.
• 🤖 Hero of Alexandria, a Roman-era mathematician, is credited with inventing one of the first vending machines, which dispensed holy water in temples as an early form of automated commerce.
• ⚕️ Roman surgical tools, developed as early as 79 CE, were remarkably advanced, including instruments like scalpels, forceps, and speculums, which were used for procedures such as C-sections and early forms of plastic surgery.
• 🏛 The architectural legacy of the Roman Empire endures in structures like the Coliseum and the Pantheon, showcasing the empire's engineering prowess and the durability of Roman concrete.
• 🔍 The Romans did not invent roads, but they perfected their design and construction, creating a vast network that contributed significantly to the empire's strength and longevity.
• 📖 The transition from scrolls to the Roman codex was a significant development in the history of books, making information more portable and accessible.

Q & A

What was the Acta Diurna and how did it relate to modern newspapers?

The Acta Diurna was a daily document generated and distributed by the Romans, closely resembling our modern newspapers. It was initially a private account of senate meetings but was made public by Julius Caesar in 59 BC, featuring social, political, and criminal events relevant to the average citizen.

What is unique about Roman concrete and how has it contributed to the longevity of their structures?

Roman concrete is unique due to its resistance to erosion by seawater, which has allowed structures like the Coliseum and the Pantheon to stand for centuries. It contains a combination of slaked lime and volcanic ash that causes a chemical reaction, enabling the concrete to dry quickly and thrive underwater.

How did the Roman road system contribute to the longevity and power of the Roman Empire?

The Roman road system, with its extensive network stretching up to 50,000 stone paved miles, allowed for efficient communication, trade, and troop movement. These roads facilitated quick transmission of messages and orders, contributing to the empire's status as a world power for over 800 years.

What was the significance of the Roman invention of the codex in the history of books?

The Roman invention of the codex, which is a bound book of stacked pages, was a significant advancement in the history of books. It made information more portable and accessible, eventually leading to the widespread adoption of this format, including the production of Bible copies by early Christians.

How did the Romans advance the concept of plumbing with their aqueducts and sewer systems?

The Romans developed the first modern plumbing system by building aqueducts to bring freshwater into the city and laying lead pipes and large sewers underground to manage waste. This system supplied public wells, baths, and homes, setting a high standard for sanitation and cleanliness.

What was the Roman welfare system called and how did it function?

The Roman welfare system was called alimenta, which was established under Emperor Trajan in 98 CE. It distributed funds to the poor and provided food for poor children throughout Italy, aiming to support fairness and prosperity within the empire.

Who was Hero of Alexandria and what is one of his notable inventions?

Hero of Alexandria was a mathematician and physicist known as 'the Father of Physics.' One of his notable inventions was the first known vending machine, which dispensed holy water in temples upon the insertion of a coin.

What surgical advancements did the Romans make and how did these tools impact their military?

The Romans developed a range of surgical tools resembling modern counterparts, including scalpels, bone forceps, and catheters. These advancements allowed them to successfully treat previously deadly injuries, giving the Roman military a significant advantage on the battlefield.

What was the first known use of concrete by the Romans and how did it set the foundation for their empire?

The Romans' first known use of concrete dates back to the construction of their infrastructure and buildings. Its durability and resistance to erosion set the foundation for the empire, allowing structures to withstand the test of time.

How did the Romans' mastery of road engineering benefit their empire?

The Romans' mastery of road engineering allowed for the construction of straight, efficient roads that facilitated rapid communication, trade, and military movement. This contributed to the stability and expansion of the Roman Empire.

What criticisms did Cicero have about the Acta Diurna and how did they reflect on modern journalism?

Cicero criticized the Acta Diurna for containing too much gossip and not enough hard facts. This reflects on modern journalism, where there can be a focus on sensationalism over accurate and in-depth reporting.

Outlines

00:00

📰 Roman Daily Gazette and Concrete Legacy

The Romans were pioneers in daily journalism with the Acta Diurna, a public document resembling today's newspapers, introduced by Julius Caesar in 59 BC. It featured social, political, and criminal events and was distributed across the empire. The Romans are also renowned for their concrete, which has a unique resistance to seawater erosion thanks to a mix of slaked lime and volcanic ash, allowing structures like the Coliseum and the Pantheon to stand for centuries.

05:01

🛣️ Roman Roads and the Invention of the Codex

The Roman Empire's extensive road system, built from the early 300s BCE, spanned up to 50,000 miles at its peak, facilitating efficient communication, trade, and military campaigns. The Romans didn't invent roads but revolutionized their engineering. Additionally, they invented the codex, the first bound book with stacked pages, which was initially used for recording laws and later adopted by Christians for the Bible, marking a significant advancement in bookmaking until the invention of the printing press.

🚰 Roman Plumbing and the Welfare System

The Romans developed advanced plumbing systems with aqueducts and lead pipes for freshwater supply and waste management. Despite the fall of Rome leading to the decline of these systems, they were a testament to Roman ingenuity. In terms of social welfare, the Romans initiated the first welfare system with the alimenta under Emperor Trajan in 98 CE, providing funds and food for the poor, which some argue contributed to the empire's prosperity while others believe it led to its decline.

🤖 Hero of Alexandria and Roman Surgical Advancements

Hero of Alexandria, a first-century CE mathematician and physicist, invented one of the earliest vending machines, which dispensed holy water in temples upon the insertion of a coin. This invention showcased the practical application of mathematics in everyday life. The Romans also made significant strides in surgical tools and procedures, with tools resembling modern surgical instruments discovered from as early as 79 CE. These advancements allowed for complex surgeries like C-sections and early forms of plastic surgery, demonstrating the empire's commitment to medical progress despite the absence of modern anesthesia.

Keywords

💡Acta Diurna

Acta Diurna, translating to 'daily acts' or 'gazette,' refers to the daily document generated and distributed by the Romans that resembles modern newspapers. It was initially a record of senate meetings but was made public by Julius Caesar in 59 BC. This concept is central to the video's theme of Roman innovations, showing how the Romans contributed to the development of journalism and public information dissemination.

💡Roman Concrete

Roman concrete is a type of concrete that has a unique resistance to erosion, especially by seawater. It is made with a combination of slaked lime and volcanic ash, which allows it to set quickly and thrive underwater. This material is a key component in many structures that still stand today, such as the Coliseum and the Pantheon, illustrating the Romans' advanced engineering and their lasting impact on architecture.

💡Roman Roads

Roman roads represent the extensive network of highways built by the Romans throughout their empire, which at its peak stretched up to 50,000 miles. These roads were engineered to be as straight as possible and facilitated efficient communication, trade, and military movement. The script emphasizes the importance of Roman roads in maintaining the empire's power and unity.

💡Codex

A codex, as mentioned in the script, is the first form of bound books with stacked pages, invented by the Romans. This innovation revolutionized the way information was recorded and disseminated, eventually leading to the widespread use of books. The codex is a prime example of a Roman innovation that had a profound impact on the preservation and sharing of knowledge.

💡Roman Plumbing

Roman plumbing refers to the advanced system of aqueducts and lead pipes used by the Romans to supply freshwater and remove waste. This system was a significant advancement in urban sanitation and contributed to the health and cleanliness of Roman cities. The script highlights the Romans' contribution to the development of modern plumbing systems.

💡Welfare System

The welfare system in the Roman context, as described in the script, began with the lex frumentaria in 122 BCE and evolved into the alimenta under Emperor Trajan in 98 CE. This system provided financial support and food for the poor, reflecting the Romans' innovative approach to social welfare and their efforts to maintain social stability and fairness.

💡Hero of Alexandria

Hero of Alexandria, also known as 'the Father of Physics,' was a mathematician who invented several practical devices, including the first known vending machine. His inventions, such as the holy water dispenser, showcased the Romans' interest in practical applications of mathematics and their ability to create advanced technology for their time.

💡Surgical Tools

Surgical tools developed by the Romans, as mentioned in the script, include a variety of instruments like scalpels, bone forceps, and catheters, which were used for procedures such as C-sections and plastic surgery. These tools, dating back to 79 CE, demonstrate the Romans' advanced medical knowledge and their contribution to the field of surgery.

💡Trephining

Trephining is an ancient surgical procedure, involving drilling a hole in the skull to relieve pressure or pain. While not invented by the Romans, their development of surgical tools and procedures advanced this practice, as indicated in the script. This keyword is an example of how the Romans built upon existing knowledge to improve medical techniques.

💡C-sections

C-sections, or cesarean sections, are surgical procedures to deliver a baby through an incision in the mother's abdomen. The script mentions that the Romans mastered this procedure, which is a testament to their advanced surgical skills and understanding of medical procedures, despite the lack of modern anesthesia.

💡Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery refers to the reconstruction or restoration of body parts for cosmetic or functional purposes. The script indicates that the Romans were capable of performing such surgeries, showcasing their comprehensive medical knowledge and the breadth of their surgical capabilities.

Highlights

The Romans created a daily document called the Acta, resembling modern newspapers, made public by Julius Caesar in 59 BC.

Roman concrete's unique formula, including slaked lime and volcanic ash, resisted erosion by seawater for centuries.

The Roman Empire's extensive road system, with up to 50,000 stone paved miles, facilitated efficient trade and military campaigns.

The invention of the codex by the Romans revolutionized book-making, transitioning from scrolls to bound pages.

The Romans developed the first modern plumbing system, including aqueducts and lead pipes for freshwater and waste management.

In 122 BCE, the Roman government began providing cheaply-priced grain to citizens, marking the start of welfare systems.

Emperor Trajan's alimenta welfare system in 98 CE provided funds and food to the poor, impacting the empire's prosperity.

Hero of Alexandria, a Roman mathematician, invented the first known vending machine that dispensed holy water.

Roman surgical advancements included tools resembling modern counterparts, developed as early as 79 CE.

Romans mastered the craft of road engineering, with roads designed for straightness and equipped with drainage and mounting steps.

The Acta Diurna featured content relevant to average citizens, including social, political, and criminal events.

The Romans' use of concrete in structures like the Coliseum and Pantheon has allowed these buildings to stand for centuries.

The Romans were the first to create bound books, significantly impacting the way information was recorded and disseminated.

Roman aqueducts supplied public wells, baths, and homes, showcasing their advanced understanding of water management.

The Romans' welfare system, alimenta, was a significant social program that provided for the poor and contributed to the empire's expanse.

Hero's vending machine invention demonstrated the Romans' practical application of mathematics and their innovative spirit.

Roman surgical tools and procedures, developed on the battlefield, gave them a significant advantage in treating injuries.

Transcripts

- Rome wasn't built in a day,

but the Romans created a few things

that have lasted up to this day.

It's "Eight Incredible Roman Innovations."

♪ ♪

If you lived in ancient Rome and wanted to look up

the box score from the big gladiator match

or were for looking for a review

of Virgil's latest poem,

you weren't quite in luck.

However, the Romans did generate

and distribute a daily document called the Acta

that very closely resembles our modern newspaper.

The term Acta Diurna

translates to "daily acts" or "gazette."

Carved on stone or metal,

the acta was originally a private account

of what took place in senate meetings.

In 59 BC,

Julius Caesar made the Acta available to the public.

They were posted in common areas

and began to feature content that was more relevant

to the average citizen,

like social, political, and criminal events.

The Acta were able to be distributed

across the whole empire,

and, just like in modern journalism,

Cicero once critiqued that the Acta

had too much tittle-tattle and not enough hard facts.

Although there is evidence

that other ancient civilizations used it,

the Romans are cemented in history

as the kings of concrete-- or should we say emperors?

One of the Roman empire's lasting legacies

is many structures that stand today.

The Coliseum, the Pantheon, the Forum,

the aqueducts, and many more.

They are all made of and remain intact thanks to concrete.

A special feature of Roman concrete

that scientists are studying to this day

is its resistance to erosion by seawater.

While modern concrete begins to erode

after about 50 years when underwater,

the Roman concrete has survived for centuries.

This is due to the combination of slaked lime

and volcanic ash that creates a chemical reaction,

causing the concrete to dry quickly

and actually thrive under seawater.

It was quite literally the foundation of the empire.

The Romans didn't invent roads per se.

Civilizations had been building them

since the Bronze Age,

but Babe Ruth didn't invent baseball either,

yet they both just mastered a craft

in a way that had never been done before.

The Romans revolutionized the engineering

and maximized the potential of what a system

of roads and highways could do.

The Romans built roads through any land that they conquered,

beginning in the early 300s BCE.

The network stretched up to 50,000

stone paved miles at its peak.

Engineers figured out a method to build every road

to be as straight as possible from origin to destination.

And, yes, almost all of them led back to Rome.

It seems obvious now, but the benefits of these roads

are a huge reason the Roman Empire

was a world power for more than 800 years.

The two-lane cobblestone roads had drainage systems

and steps for people to mount horses and carts.

It allowed messages and orders to be sent quickly,

made for efficient trade across thousands of miles,

and most importantly, gave campaigning armies

a reliably steady stream of troops and supplies.

For the Romans, life was very much a highway.

The Romans were jacks of all trades:

warriors, engineers, artists, and intellectuals.

We even have them to thank for the invention of books.

Who knew?

For the first few millennia

that people were writing things down,

it was done on heavy stone or clay tablets

and then long scrolls

that could stretch over 30 feet long.

The Romans were the first people

to create the very first bound books of stacked pages

called a codex.

Julius Caesar was known to make notebooks for himself,

but they became really popular around 1 CE.

The pages were first made of wax-covered wood tablets,

then animal skin parchment, and eventually paper,

which was invented by the Chinese.

The codex was originally used as a log of laws and decrees

made by emperors,

but the Christians were early adopters of the process

to produce copies of the Bible

to spread Christianity with great success.

The invention of binding is considered

the greatest advancement in books

until the printing press, a huge win for the bookworms.

Although the Assyrians had been using plumbing

as far back as the ninth-century BCE,

it was the Romans a few centuries later

who elevated-- and in this case buried it--

to another level.

The Romans developed the first modern plumbing system,

building aqueducts to bring freshwater into the city

and laying a series of lead pipes

and large sewers underground to flush away waste.

The Latin term "plumbus" actually means "lead"

or "one who works with lead."

The aqueducts, many of which stand today,

supplied public wells, baths,

and many homes throughout the city.

After the fall of Rome,

many of the countries that emerged

were disinterested in maintaining

the Roman standard for sanitation and cleanliness

and allowed the plumbing to fall into disrepair,

making the population more vulnerable

to outbreaks of disease.

The Romans have a history of improving upon existing ideas.

However, the concept of welfare stems entirely

from the brains of forward-thinking Roman leaders.

In 122 BCE, tribune Gaius Gracchus

instituted lex frumentaria,

a law ordering the government to provide citizens

with cheaply-priced grain.

However, it was two centuries later,

in 98 CE under Emperor Trajan,

that the first true welfare system took form.

It was called alimenta,

and it distributed funds to the poor

and provided food for poor children throughout Italy.

Proponents of Trajan's system point out

that this period was a prosperous time.

Citizens were treated with fairness,

and the empire reached its greatest expanse.

However, detractors feel that these programs

were a drain on the economy

and were the reason that the empire

began its decline shortly thereafter.

During the first century CE,

the Roman version of Leonardo da Vinci

was living in Alexandria, modern-day Egypt.

Hero was one of the greatest mathematicians of his time

and called "the Father of Physics."

He was interested in the practical uses of mathematics,

which led him to inventing several items

that were so advanced people viewed them as miracles.

One such invention was the first known

vending machine in history,

which dispensed holy water inside temples.

Priests were apparently having trouble

with their poorer patrons using up all of the holy water,

and they were tired of chasing down

these wet patrons for payment.

So Hero invented a special kind of vase.

Someone would drop a five drachma coin

into a slot at the top.

The coin landed on a tray, its weight slowly opening

another slot that released the holy water.

When the coin slipped off the tray,

the water slot would close.

The device not only gave temples

an automated way to collect money,

it became an attraction for the temple.

Everyone wanted to see this miracle with their own eyes.

To put this accomplishment in perspective,

the first vending machine in the U.S.

wasn't built until 1888.

The practice of surgery existed long before

the rise of the Roman empire.

There is evidence of a procedure called trephining,

drilling a hole in the skull to relieve pain,

being performed as early as 3000 BCE.

However, as we've seen time and time again,

just about anything people did, Romans did better.

Archaeologists have discovered many surgical tools

that the Romans developed as early as 79 CE

that closely resemble their modern contemporaries,

including scalpels,

bone forceps, vaginal speculums,

bone hooks, saws and levers, catheters, and more.

Most of these tools and procedures

were born on the battlefield,

and being able to successfully treat

previously deadly injuries

gave the Romans another huge advantage

over their adversaries.

These tools helped the Romans master

other surgical advancements,

like C-sections and even plastic surgery.

It seems great until you remember

that general anesthesia wasn't available

for another 1,800 years.

[crickets chirping]

So we've essentially learned that the minds of the Romans

were like the bacon of the ancient world.

Add them to anything, and they enhanced it.

And they're also amazing on their own.

At this point, we wouldn't be surprised

if the Romans invented brunch.

♪ ♪