Paipetis Science and Technology in Homeric Epics

1. Auflage 2008
ISBN: 978-1-4020-8784-4
Verlag: Springer Netherlands
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 1 - PDF Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, Band 6, 536 Seiten

Reihe: History of Mechanism and Machine Science

In the Homeric Epics, important references to specific autonomous systems and mechanisms of very advanced technology, such as automata and artificial intelligence, as well as to almost modern methods of design and production are included. Even if those features of Homeric science were just poetic concepts (which on many occasions does not explain the astonishing details of design and manufacture, like the ones included in the present volume), they seem to prove that these achievements were well within human capability. In addition, the substantial development of machine theory during the early post-Homeric age shows that the Homeric descriptions were a kind of prophetic conception of these machines, and scientific research must be a quest for the fundamental principles of knowledge available during the Late Bronze Age and the dawn of the Iron Age.

Such investigations must of necessity be strongly interdisciplinary and also proceed continuously in time, since, as science progresses, new elements of knowledge are discovered in the Homeric Epics, amenable to scientific analysis.

This book brings together papers presented at the international symposium Science and Technology in Homeric Epics, which took place at Ancient Olympia in 2006. It includes a total of 41 contributions, mostly original research papers, covering diverse fields of science and technology, in the modern sense of these words.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Paipetis, S. A.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Table of Contents;6
2;Preface;10
3;Acknowledgements;14
4;List of Contributors;16
5;Part 1 GENERAL THEMES;22
5.1;Mycenaean Technology;23
5.1.1;1 Technology in Hesiod;23
5.1.2;2 Technology in Homer;24
5.1.3;3 The Technology of Mycenaeans;26
5.1.4;3.1 Water Supply of Cities;28
5.1.5;3.2 Dams;30
5.1.6;3.3 Flood Control and Land-Reclamation Works;32
5.1.7;3.4 Building Technology and Bridges;36
5.1.8;3.5 Metallurgy;38
5.1.9;3.6 Shipbuilding;43
5.1.10;Appendix: How Much Coloured the Ancestors of theWhite Athena Were;47
5.1.11;References;52
5.2;Autagreton;54
6;Part 2 MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS;59
6.1;Archimedes’ Count of Homer’s Cattle of the Sun;60
6.1.1;1 Homer’s Cattle of the Sun;61
6.1.2;2 Archimedes’ Version of the Number of the Cattle of the Sun;63
6.1.3;3 The First Part of the Cattle Problem;64
6.1.4;4 The Second Part of the Cattle Problem;67
6.1.5;Appendix: The Smallest Number of Cattle of the Sun;73
6.1.6;References;83
6.2;Vortices in Homer’s Odyssey – A Scientific Approach;84
6.2.1;1 Introduction;84
6.2.2;2 Charybdis;86
6.2.3;3 The Phaeacian Whirlpools;91
6.2.4;4 Conclusions;92
6.2.5;References;92
6.2.6;Bibliography;92
6.3;The Homeric Automata and Their Implementation;93
6.3.1;1 Introduction;93
6.3.2;2 The Automata in the Iliad;94
6.3.3;3 The Automata in the Odyssey;95
6.3.4;4 The Problem of Internal Energy of the Automata;96
6.3.5;5 The Problem of Automatic Control;97
6.3.6;6 The Implementation of the Homeric Visions in the Hellenistic Period;98
6.3.7;7 Conclusions;100
6.3.8;References;100
6.4;The River Ocean: Homer’s Cosmogony;101
6.4.1;References;107
6.5;The Laws of Curvilinear Motion in the Iliad;108
6.5.1;1 The Mycenaean Chariot;108
6.5.2;2 Nestor’s Instructions to Antilochos;109
6.5.3;3 On Curvilinear Motion;111
6.5.4;4 The Chariot Race;113
6.5.5;References;115
7;Part 3 MATERIALS;116
7.1;Iron in the Homeric Epics & Homer, a Sensible Ecologist;117
7.1.1;1 Introduction;117
7.1.2;2 Iron, a Poor, Disdained and Ugly Metal;118
7.1.3;3 Iron, a Metal with Magical Properties;118
7.1.4;4 Minoan and Mycenaean Iron Seal-Rings of 2nd Millenneum BC;118
7.1.5;5 Iron Used in Exchange Commodities;121
7.1.6;6 The Use of Iron as a Weapon;122
7.1.7;7 Odyssey;122
7.1.8;8 Homer, a Sensible Ecologist of 8th Century BC;124
7.1.9;9 Discussion and Conclusion;125
7.2;Early Bronze Technology at Land’s End, North Western Iberia;126
7.2.1;1 Introduction;127
7.2.2;2 Tin in Early Bronzes;129
7.2.3;3 Neutron and Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction Analysis;132
7.2.4;4 Metals as Prestige Goods in the Homeric Epics;136
7.2.5;5 Conclusions;140
7.2.6;Acknowledgemetns;141
7.2.7;References;141
7.3;Porphyra: In Search of Dyeing Methods in Ancient Greece;145
7.3.1;1 Introduction;145
7.3.2;2 Extract by Corrosion;148
7.3.3;3 Aiming at Complete Removal of Smell;148
7.3.4;4 Perfect Dyestuff by Using HoneyWine;149
7.3.5;5 Dyeing Ivory;149
7.3.6;6 Shaping and Preparation for Dyeing;150
7.3.7;7 Epilogue;150
7.4;Technology Transfer in the Bronze Age: The Case of a Faience- Like Blue Glaze Produced at Bread- Oven Temperatures;151
7.4.1;1 Introduction;152
7.4.2;2 The Case of the 36000 Glazed Tiles from Djoser’s Pyramid;153
7.4.3;3 The Davidovits Proposition [26];161
7.4.4;4 Characterisation of the Geopolymer Material;163
7.4.5;5 The Next Step;168
7.4.6;6 On Hephaistian Arts and Crafts;169
7.4.7;7 Conclusions;173
7.4.8;Acknowledgements;174
7.4.9;References;174
8;Part 4 DEFENSIVEWEAPONS;177
8.1;From Homer to Hoplite: Scientific Investigations of Greek Copper Alloy Helmets;178
8.1.1;1 Introduction;178
8.1.2;2 Helmets in Antiquity 2.1 From Homer to the Hoplite;179
8.1.3;2.2 Evidence of Helmets and Polychromy;180
8.1.4;2.3 Methodology;181
8.1.5;3 Experimental Results and Discussion 3.1 Bulk Composition and Manufacturing Process;182
8.1.6;3.2 Surface Corrosion Phenomena and Tinning;184
8.1.7;3.3 Adhesive for Gold Foil Decoration;187
8.1.8;4 Conclusions;188
8.1.9;References;188
8.2;DefensiveWeapons in Homer;191
8.2.1;1 Introduction: Materials in Homer 1.1 Metals;191
8.2.2;1.2 Composite Materials;192
8.2.3;2 The Homeric Shields 2.1 The Shield of Achilles;193
8.2.4;2.2 The Shield of Ajax;201
8.2.5;3 Discussion and Conclusions;204
8.2.6;4 The Shield of Heracles;207
8.2.7;5 The Roman Shield;208
8.2.8;6 The Shield of Atreid’s;208
8.2.9;7 The Mycenaean Helmets;210
8.2.10;8 Review and Conclusions;212
8.2.11;References;213
8.3;How the Greeks Got Ahead: Technological Aspects of Manufacture of a Corinthian Type Hoplite Bronze Helmet from Olympia;214
8.3.1;1 Introduction;215
8.3.2;2 Techniques Applied;216
8.3.3;3 Results;218
8.3.4;3.1 Corrosion Products;218
8.3.5;3.2 Microstrain Broadening;221
8.3.6;3.3 Texture Analysis;222
8.3.7;4 What Does Homer Say about Helmets?;223
8.3.8;5 Threads to Follow;226
8.3.9;6 Conclusions;228
8.3.10;Acknowledgements;228
8.3.11;References;229
9;Part 5 TELECOMMUNICATIONS;230
9.1;Theoretical Analysis of Telecommunication through “ Friktories”;231
9.1.1;1 Introduction;231
9.1.2;2 Electromagnetic Analysis of a Troy-Mycenae Communication Link;232
9.1.3;3 Communication Analysis of Troy-Mycenae Link;236
9.1.4;4 Conclusions;236
9.1.5;References;237
10;Part 6 GEOLOGY – GEOMECHANICS;238
10.1;Elements of Engineering Geology and Geotechnical Engineering in the Homeric Poems;239
10.1.1;1 Introduction;239
10.1.2;2 Geological Descriptions;240
10.1.3;3 Geologic Processes;241
10.1.4;3.1 Riverine Environment and Deposits;241
10.1.5;3.2 Soil Types;242
10.1.6;3.3 Landslides and Erosion;242
10.1.7;3.4 Earthquakes;243
10.1.8;4 Geotechnical Engineering;244
10.1.9;4.1 The Trench of the Achaeans;244
10.1.10;4.2 Pavement Construction and Road Infrastructure;245
10.1.11;4.3 Port Facilities;246
10.1.12;4.4 Embankments;247
10.1.13;5 Conclusions;247
10.1.14;Notes;247
10.1.15;References;248
10.2;Geological Knowledge of Greeks in the Era of Trojan War;249
10.2.1;1 Introduction;250
10.2.2;2 The Minyans;251
10.2.3;2.1 Works Constructed by the Minyans in the Greek Region;252
10.2.4;2.2 Technological Knowledge of Minyans;257
10.2.5;2.3 Economic and Managerial Capacities of the Minyans;259
10.2.6;References;260
10.3;Static and Dynamic Analysis of the Atreus Vaulted Tomb inMycenae;262
10.3.1;1 Introduction;262
10.3.2;2 The FOM Damage Model;263
10.3.3;3 Introductory Remarks about the Structure;266
10.3.4;4 Static and Dynamic Analysis of the Tomb;266
10.3.5;5 Conclusions;269
10.3.6;References;270
11;Part 7 MEDICINE;271
11.1;Homeric Injury Scenes on Ancient Greek Pottery Reveal Medical Knowledge;272
11.1.1;1 Introduction;272
11.1.2;2 Illustrations Proving Medical Knowledge;272
11.1.3;3 Medical Terminology;275
11.1.4;4 Epilogue;277
11.1.5;References;277
11.2;The Healing Art in the Iliad;278
11.2.1;1 Introduction;278
11.2.2;2 The Origin of Traumatology;278
11.2.3;3 Two Case Reports of Battle-Wounds;279
11.2.4;4 Discussion;281
11.2.5;5 Concluding Remarks;283
11.2.6;References;283
11.3;Medicinal Herbs and Plants in Homer;285
11.3.1;1 Introduction;285
11.3.2;2 Homeric References to Plants and Magical Herms;286
11.3.3;3 Conclusions;293
11.3.4;References;293
12;Part 8 FLORA AND FAUNA;294
12.1;Agricultural Development in the Homeric Era;295
12.1.1;1 Agricultural Development;295
12.1.2;1.1 Cereal Farming;298
12.1.3;1.2 Grapevine Cultivation;299
12.1.4;1.3 Field Irrigation;299
12.1.5;2 Conclusion;300
12.1.6;References;300
12.2;The Fauna of Greece and Adjacent Areas in the Age of Homer*;302
12.2.1;1 Introduction;302
12.2.2;2 Classical Names and Recent Taxa;303
12.2.3;3 The Homeric Man and His Knowledge of the Animal Kingdom;307
12.2.4;4 Past and Present: Comments on Faunal Composition;310
12.2.5;5 Conclusions;312
12.2.6;Acknowledgements;313
12.2.7;References;313
13;Part 9 ASTRONOMY;315
13.1;“Eneoros Minos” and the Minoan Calendrical Abacus;316
13.1.1;1 The Minoan Calendar;316
13.1.2;1.1 The Function of the Abacus;319
13.1.3;2 “EneorosMinos”;320
13.1.4;References;321
13.2;The Divine Fires of Creation: Homeric Hephaestos as a Comet/ Meteor God;322
13.2.1;1 Introduction;323
13.2.2;2 The Fall onEarth;323
13.2.3;3 The DivineWorks;324
13.2.4;4 The Pelasgian Substratum: The Circum-Mediterranean Nuclei 4.1 Minoan Crete and Lemnos: The Labyrinth;325
13.2.5;4.2 The Pelasgians and the Etruscans;326
13.2.6;5 Fire Festivities: The Kabeirian Mysteries;327
13.2.7;6 Hephaestos and Athena: A Dual Celestial Archetype;327
13.2.8;7 The Archaeoastronomical Evidence 7.1 Hephaestos 2212;328
13.2.9;7.2 The Three Cities of Troy in the Homeric Epics;329
13.2.10;8 Comets and Their Symbolic Images;330
13.2.11;9 The Geoarchaeological Evidence 9.1 Lemnian Earth and the Destruction Layers;332
13.2.12;9.2 Impact Craters: Underwater or Terrestrial?;333
13.2.13;10 Conclusions;334
13.2.14;Acknowledgements;334
13.2.15;References;335
13.3;A Comet during the TrojanWar?;338
13.3.1;1 Introduction;339
13.3.2;2 An Old Interpretation of Phaethon Phenomenon;341
13.3.3;3 A New Interpretation of Phaethon Phenomenon;341
13.3.4;4 Attempts to Date Phaethon’s Passing;347
13.3.5;5 Conclusions;349
13.3.6;Acknowledgements;352
13.3.7;Notes;352
13.3.8;References;353
13.4;Homeric Calendar and Helios Charioteer;354
13.4.1;1 Homeric and Mycenaean Calendars;354
13.4.2;2 Helios Charioteer;359
13.4.3;3 The Cattle of the Sun;363
13.4.4;4 HeliosWho Sees Everything;364
13.4.5;Acknowledgements;365
13.4.6;References;365
13.5;Homer and Orosius: A Key to Explain Deucalion’s Flood, Exodus and Other Tales;366
13.5.1;1 Orosius as a Key to Understanding Deucalion’s Flood and Exodus;366
13.5.2;2 Before the Phaethon Explosion: The Key in Homer;369
13.5.3;Acknowledgement;371
13.5.4;References;371
14;Part 10 SEAFARING;372
14.1;Homer at Sea (;373
14.1.1;1;373
14.1.2;1 Introduction;373
14.1.3;2 Problems of Historiography;374
14.1.4;3 The Form of the Ship;375
14.1.5;4 Ship Construction;375
14.1.6;5 Navigation;378
14.1.7;6 Conclusion;379
14.1.8;References;380
14.2;The Redness of Ulysses’ Ships;381
14.2.1;1 Introduction;381
14.2.2;2 Experimental;382
14.2.3;3 Discussion;383
14.2.4;4 Conclusions;385
14.2.5;Acknowledgements;385
14.2.6;References;385
14.3;Ambrosia, Nectar and Elaion in the Homeric Poems;386
14.3.1;1 Ambrosia, Nector and Elaion;386
14.3.2;References;392
14.4;Dietary Habits in Homer;395
14.4.1;1 Introduction;395
14.4.2;2 Homer and the Habits of Achaean Heroes;396
14.4.3;3 The Fruits of the Earth;397
14.4.4;3.1 Cereals;398
14.4.5;3.2 Fruits and Vegetables;399
14.4.6;3.3 Wine;400
14.4.7;3.4 Olive Oil;402
14.4.8;4 Dairy Products and the Consumption of Meat;402
14.4.9;5 Seafood;405
14.4.10;6 Conclusions;405
14.4.11;References;406
15;Part 12 GEOGRAPHY;407
15.1;Trojan Plain and Homeric Topography;408
15.1.1;1 Introduction;408
15.1.2;2 Characteristics and Orientation of the Achaean C412
15.1.3;3 Key Elements of Homeric Topography;413
15.1.4;4 The Location of the Camp and Homer’s Testimony;420
15.1.5;5 Conclusion;423
15.1.6;References;424
16;Part 13 GENERAL INTEREST;425
16.1;Mêtis and the Artificial;426
16.1.1;1 Introduction;426
16.1.2;2 Mêtis Models;427
16.1.3;3 Design andAction;429
16.1.4;4 Conclusion;432
16.1.5;References;432
16.2;Interpreting the Representations on the Shield of Achilles;434
16.2.1;1 Introduction;434
16.2.2;2 The Homeric Shield;435
16.2.3;3 The Shield’s Representations;435
16.2.4;4 Interpreting Shield’s Representations;436
16.2.5;5 Summary and Conclusion;440
16.2.6;References;440
16.3;Homer and the So-Called Homeric Questions;442
16.3.1;1 Introduction;442
16.3.2;2 What Does “Homer” Mean?;445
16.3.3;3 On Homer’s Parents;448
16.3.4;4 Delivery Oral or in Writing?;450
16.3.5;5 Ithaca;453
16.3.6;6 Ulysses’ “Ithaca” Is Not Lefkas But Cephalonia;454
16.3.7;7 Ulysses’ Sailing Out to the Ocean;455
16.3.8;References;458
16.4;Atlantis in Homer and Other Authors Prior to Plato*;459
16.4.1;1 Introduction;459
16.4.2;2 Ancient Greek Sources about Atlantis Prior to Plato;460
16.4.3;3 RedTears;466
16.4.4;4 Nature of the Island;475
16.4.5;5 Orientation of Atlantis;476
16.4.6;6 Geomorphology;477
16.4.7;7 Mechanism of Catastrophe;479
16.4.8;8 Atlantis’ Flora and Fauna;480
16.4.9;9 The Size of Atlantis;483
16.4.10;10 Atlantes;484
16.4.11;11 The GiantWestern Continent;492
16.4.12;12 Conclusions;493
16.4.13;Acknowledgements;496
16.4.14;Notes;496
16.4.15;References;496
16.5;Did Ulysses Travel to Atlantis?;499
16.5.1;1 Odyssey;499
16.5.2;2 Fictional Elements;500
16.5.3;3 Ancient Athens;501
16.5.4;4 Sea Peoples;501
16.5.5;5 Tartessos;502
16.5.6;6 Conclusion;503
16.5.7;7 Outlook;503
16.5.8;References;504
16.6;Homer’s Reference to Writing in Proitos’ Era;505
16.6.1;1 Introduction;505
16.6.2;2 WhenDidProitosLive?;505
16.6.3;3 The Letter and Its Script;507
16.6.4;4 Conclusion;510
16.6.5;Derivation of the Alphabet from the Minoan Syllabic Scripts;512
16.6.6;References;513
16.7;Linguistic Science and Script Technology: The Homeric Evidence;514
16.7.1;References;518
16.8;The Miraculous Homeric Metre;520
16.8.1;1 Introduction;520
16.8.2;2 Meditation;520
16.8.3;3 The Homeric Metre;523
16.8.4;4 The Dactylic Hexameter;524
16.8.5;5 Conclusion;525
16.8.6;References;525