Engineering in antiquity refers to the various forms of engineering practiced by ancient civilizations around the world. This period, often stretching from prehistory to the fall of the Roman Empire, encompasses a range of technological achievements that laid foundational principles for modern engineering disciplines.
The practice of engineering in ancient times was not as specialized as today. Ancient engineers were often architects, inventors, military engineers, or builders who combined knowledge from various fields like mathematics, astronomy, and physics. Engineering feats from this era were primarily driven by the need for:
Engineering in Egypt is perhaps most famously known for the construction of the Pyramids of Giza. The techniques used for quarrying, transporting, and assembling these massive structures show advanced knowledge of geometry, labor organization, and simple machines like levers and ramps.
The Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians contributed significantly to civil engineering with their advancements in irrigation systems, city planning, and the creation of ziggurats. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, if they existed, would have been an engineering marvel due to its complex water-lifting mechanisms.
Greeks made notable advancements in architecture with the use of the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders in column construction. Greek engineers like Archimedes developed principles of mechanics, hydrostatics, and optics. The Antikythera Mechanism is an example of their sophisticated understanding of gears and astronomy.
The Romans excelled in civil engineering, particularly in the construction of aqueducts, roads, bridges, and public buildings. Their use of concrete, the Arch, and the Vault allowed for the creation of expansive public spaces and enduring structures like the Colosseum and Pantheon.
The engineering achievements of antiquity have had lasting impacts on modern engineering practices: