Roman Inventions - You Never Knew About

[@kurtwinter4422]

Apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system, and public health ... what have the Romans ever done for us?

[@fpvangel4495]

They didnt invent anything, they came and stole it all - and it still continues today.

[@TheFunkadelicFan]

"He wanks as high as any in Wome!"

[@fugoogle9757]

Don't forget 'noses'!

[@rileyuktv6426]

Brought peace?

[@fpvangel4495]

@@rileyuktv6426 Try division.

[@William986-i4q]

Paul and Rebecca, I probably don’t acknowledge your excellent work as much as I should do. It is not only interesting, but is significant as it often covers parts of the UK ignored and neglected by the mainstream. It is becoming increasingly important to draw attention to our wonderful landscape, often England’s green and pleasant land, which will hopefully help to protect it in the longer term. Best wishes

[@acharper6964]

When I was a lad, many decades ago, I remember my Dad saying that no one knew how the Romans made their concrete so strong. And now we know, but my world still has mysteries... how did the Romans find out using quicklime in their concrete was a good thing? And how did we lose the technology?

[@YoutubePremiumMem]

Because they were just like us today. They tried things. If they worked then they did them over and over again. Nothing was lost. The Roman Empire fell and the massive effort required to ship the resources was no longer available.

[@serendipidus8482]

The only form of concrete before cement was QuickTime.... bruurning a rock of lime in a fire and then It would rain and become solids again qould have Emily happened around any camp fire where lime stone existed. It could be in their pottery kilns as stone and they would observe the effect easily. Cement is very recent. Even 100 years ago cement was not used but lime mortar even in the pathways around our 1800s house the concrete is lime and sand. And while very cracks it is still solid.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

​@@serendipidus8482concrete needs cement.

[@peterdonaldhume]

@@serendipidus8482 Cement is ROMAN -

[@serendipidus8482]

@peterdonaldhume portland cement I am referring to. A recent inclusion to our mortars. Concrete is roman yes and even earlier concreting Is observed. But cement as we know it today which is portland cement is not even common 200 years ago. I have no idea when we started using it but it's not in any historic buildings here where they always use lime.

[@slehar]

Not “slacking”, it’s called “slaking” rhymes with “baking” as I slaking your thirst. Creates “slaked lime”

[@cerealport2726]

They may not have had contour lines as we know them, but they evidently knew how to identify lines of equal height, or they couldn't have built functional aqueducts.

[@johnnynielsen3006]

The ''Toilet Brush'' was a sponge on a stick dipped in vinegar and used to wipe your backside clean. A number of medicinal plants were used as ''anti worm'' medicines aiming to drug or kill the worms inside you. The Kythera computer could be used for navigation if you kept turning the mechanism at regular intervals. By comparing the setting or rising of stars etc. to the machine settings you could determine the offset in position.

[@robmerryfield8616]

Excellent content Paul

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Rob

[@jerrygale1994]

A very informative watch. The Romans were so far ahead of their time in many ways. The computer thingy is staggering. Thank you so much for creating and sharing

[@shirleylynch7529]

Very clever in many things the Romans. Interesting video Paul. Thank again for all your research.

[@R08Tam]

Fascinating as ever

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you.

[@CyrilleParis]

A friend of mine working in construction said to me that Roman concrete was the worst to find on a building site when you had to get read of it (after the archaeologists had done their job) : its one of the hardest materials you can have. Only some very hard rocks and very few special modern concretes are as hard to destroy as Roman concrete. So it slows down the projects and makes the cost higher.

[@YoutubePremiumMem]

It has also had 2000 years to cure.

[@CyrilleParis]

@@KZbinPremiumMem Lol! It had days to cure and centuries to degrade. And it is still very very hard. Look at the 80 yo fortifications in France's beaches : they already began to degrade and it was quite good concrete, very much above average !

[@YoutubePremiumMem]

@@CyrilleParis not a comparison. Seasalt degrades concrete. Don’t compare concrete used on beaches in pillboxes and barriers to inland concrete walls. Do some research on concrete. The older it is, the harder it gets. It takes decades to cure.

[@CyrilleParis]

@@KZbinPremiumMem I'm a civil engineer myself. I don't have to research. There is Roman concrete on beaches and even under the sea (the sea levels have risen since then) which is still very strong. And concrete take time to cure and normal concrete is stronger after a few month or years, but in the end it begins to degrade, a bit quicker in salty environment or were it freezes in the winter, but even inland in a clement climate, after a few years (max 20 years when you are lucky), it begins to degrade and if you don't do anything, it will crumble in the end. There are some very expensive special concrete that are much more durable than that, but it has very special uses.

[@YoutubePremiumMem]

​​⁠I’m sorry but you need to give your degree back if you can’t grasp such simple ideas and terms. It’s worthless and I really hope you aren’t responsible for more than bringing the boss his coffee.

[@intractablemaskvpmGy]

What you see here is just the interior of the walls, everything that could, was stripped away for use nearby- probably not long after the site was abandoned as Roman influence and methods evaporated. Amazing they still stand. These days we don't build to last. A modern structure's demise is encoded into it from the onset- especially if concrete and rebar is used.

[@turkeytrac1]

And you've only just scratched the surface of what the Roman's either invented or improved upon, one of my favourites goes hand in hand with roman aqueducts, and how Roman's used siphons to move water across valleys to tall to buildd a aqueduct to the full height of the valley. For their time, no pun intended, they were the masters of hydraulic engineering. Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@NickBR57]

That's the Antikythera Mechanism isn't it? Greek. The band Nightwish has a song about it on their album released in September (album Yesterwynde, song The Antikythera Mechanism). 10:23

[@pwhitewick]

Highly likely yes. But as it's in the Roman era, I've nicked it.

[@stuffanthings]

@@pwhitewick Can you not please? The point of your channel is history and with one simple yet well documented GREEK invention you have removed any notion of accuracy or context. For what, it's not like of all the things we have there weren't enough to fill a romanophile video, well how about do a video on all the things that are claimed to be roman but are infact from the people they invaded, persecuted, killed, raped and exploited. Including people far more advanced than them, but sure they managed affter COPYING a crashed Carthaginian ship without which have entirely different history and no Romanochristian darkage caused by them destroying the actually technologically advanced peoples of the time. Then they destroy europes cultures leaving countless places in ruin. You could start the video with the Antikythera mechanism

[@Gang-zy7lq]

Well kettles on joint rolled am ready for this

[@a11csc]

certainly left one hell of a legacy

[@Rincypoopoo]

I love the unobtrusively brilliant camera work and editing of these excellent videos. Truly top rank work. Content is great too. All in all well worth a "like and subscribe"...

[@pwhitewick]

Welcome 🙏

[@paul.Darling]

Hi Paul, thank you for another concrete effort ( sorry BAD pun 😀 ). Yet another sterling piece of work, looking forward to your next upload.............................

[@donerskine7935]

The Antikytheros mechanism is on display in the National Museum in Athens. Well worth a visit. It cannot be unique, there must have been many other sophisticated devices, now lost.

[@pwhitewick]

I feel the same. Imagine making something as special as this and trading it somehow

[@smallsleepyrascalcat]

Great collection of knowledge. Very enjoyable to watch. And I envy their concrete.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Kai

[@robertward7449]

Great video, thought provoking. Presumably, the antikythera mechanism didn't just appear out of nowhere. There has to be a lot of scientific knowledge and technology to design and build such a thing. Who WAS the genius who built the worlds first computer? Just look at the effort it took to essentially reverse-engineer it!!

[@pwhitewick]

Yup, some very clever people too... 100 years to work it out. It remains high on my agenda of mysteries to deep dive.

[@ianmckay1780]

Thank you for naming the mechanism. I had known, but at my age, you forget where and when let alone what it's name is!

[@gbcb8853]

Possibly Archimedes, or his school. It is too sophisticated to be Roman and is thought to be of Greek origin, hence the Olympic Games connection.

[@jonathonbrett-qn1ic]

Great episode The Romans where so advanced

[@Bin.Coy.In.Places]

My Sunday evening is now complete...

[@christina3521]

And my Sunday morning 🎄🎄🎄

[@66kbm]

The Groma if used correctly can also tell you the distance from one side of a river to the another. Its Greek in origin and can do so much more than one can think.Well beyond my capabilities. Dioptra was a third Century device, so we need to be keeping within the the time window you prefer.

[@pwhitewick]

Diopter was at worst 1st C.

[@ianmartin877]

Great video mate keep up the great work

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks 👍

[@paulinehedges5088]

Paul...this was really REALLY interesting. You never fail to inform us about life from the past. I look forward to Sunday evenings. Thank you so much . 😊😊😊😊😊

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Pauline.

[@Rob789-2]

I wonder how many Roman ships were equipped with these navigational computers. I wonder even more WHERE they were able to travel. I don't think they needed such a sophisticated instrument for navigating the Mediterranean Sea or around the coasts of the European Continent. I get a sense of open oceans here.

[@agrxdrowflow958]

That computer is called an "astrolabe."

[@stuffanthings]

it's also not even slightly roman, it's Greek

[@helenswan705]

So, it's the Golden Compass. Amazing.

[@pwhitewick]

...and sooo much more.

[@robertbush6652]

Well done Paul good video. Regarding the concrete I saw a documentary some years ago about the mines under Rome and the Romans made concrete for the footings for one of the bridges. If my memory is right this concrete was applied submersed in the river and it set under water. At the time they didn't know how this was achieved, just for your info. Anyway just opened a beer cheers

[@nigelsouthworth5577]

Great video. Thought provoking.

[@BlaBla-pf8mf]

Roman occupation is associated with widespread intestinal worms because romans loved garum which is made from uncooked fish including intestines and the process didn't kill worm eggs.

[@intractablemaskvpmGy]

Yes but the manufacture of garum is extremely saline. It does sanitize after a fashion. I would expect that majority of parasites came from dubious water sources, lack of general hygiene (hand washing?) and poorly prepared food rather than fish sauce. Food for thought, however.

[@BlaBla-pf8mf]

@@intractablemaskvpmGy The factors you mention are stable and widespread across ancient cultures so they would not explain why roman occupation would lead to an increase in intestinal parasites. It has to be a roman specific factor.

[@ianmckay1780]

I don't wish ro know that ! Lol, thanks.

[@MichaelCampin]

Good evening Paul, forgot it was Sunday again

[@pwhitewick]

Your regular reminder!

[@semontreal6907]

Not Roman, Greek. Good show, thanks

[@cabrini00]

FYI, MIT and Harvard are two separate universities that are both located in Cambridge near Boston.

[@pwhitewick]

Oooh that's odd. The article stated "MIT Harvard"

[@lv_woodturner3899]

The Antikythera mechanism is fascinating. So ahead of its time both in the design and fabrication. I cannot imagine how the creator felt when he invention was lost in the shipwreck. A KZbin machinist Clickspring made a version with lots of hand made pieces. Another KZbinr Robert Murray Smith recently made a 3D printed version.

[@stuffanthings]

it's also GREEK not Roman

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

A well-researched, fascinating glimpse into some secrets of Roman technology. I suspect there is still much to discover, e.g. about Roman mapping/navigation techniques. So, back to your title - and a video series...?

[@StephenDavenport-zqz2ub]

Roman technology was very basic and sadly they did not discover steam power. This meant they were dependent on slaves to do most of their work. Today we have most of our work done by machines. This as I see it, is the need for a stable, non intermittent source of electricity. Another great video.

[@ArturdeSousaRocha]

Here goes my weekly dose of thinking about the Roman Empire. 😀

[@playwithmeinsecondlife6129]

Since we became Homo Sapiens we have all had an innate intelligence, but circumstances either encouraged genius or discouraged us into ignorance. The "computer" found in the Greek shipwreck is unique as far as we know and an act of genius. Roman concrete is another. Few had need of a computer but everyone needed concrete so one remained unique and the other became ubiquitous.

[@stuffanthings]

Yes the GREEK invention yet again having someone try pass off something as roman as per usual, the romans being claimed as the inventors of things they stole

[@charliemansonUK]

Before i start watching... I'm desperately hoping to say I did know about at least one of them!

[@charliemansonUK]

Phew 😅 I did!

[@pwhitewick]

@@charliemansonUK Which!?

[@honodle7219]

And yet 'modern' concrete is still being made at staggering rates.

[@pwhitewick]

Indeed

[@davidrowley-ic6dx]

The challenge for to differentiate between inventions of Romans from inventions the Romans adopted. It should be noted that Syracuse was a Greek colony in Sicily that was particularly notable for being a centre of learning … which the Romans then “absorbed”. This would be consistent with something like the Antikythera Mechanism being used in the Mediterranean … although, since a large number of contemporary wrecks have now been explored yet only the single example appears to have ever been found, the true use and ownership of the device remains a good mystery. What about Central Heating? … was this Roman, Carthaginian, Greek, or someone else?? What is undeniable about the Romans is that they were quick to see an opportunity if it could offer them an advantage. You could argue they also created Mass Production … even to the point of Naval construction with dedicated boat yards. On the matter of the undershot mill, I also recall there is some form of surviving contemporary wall art depicting a mill wheel lowered over the side of a boat to allow grain to be milled while at sea. And whilst at sea, it was Roman concrete that enabled construction of harbour walls and many other construction marvels … due to its ability to set under water. This same concrete could be modified in density (by addition of pumice) to be very lightweight … so enabling them to construct huge domed roofs (the epitome being the Parthenon dome in Rome … and carried forward into the Byzantine world where they even survive in earthquake prone regions. I’m not sure you can credit the Romans with the invention of glass, but they certainly used it extensively for glazing at a time when most windows would only have a wooden shutter … albeit it would have been expensive and probably only found in the posher villas.

[@stuffanthings]

They stole everything, it's jsut teachers are lazy and it's far easier throwing everything into the roman section than having to show all the countless cultures they stole from and destroyed

[@matthewbooth9265]

When you consider that a wall for a house built 150 or less years ago with lime mortar will be completely rotten, you'd be able to dig it out with your finger...it really does show how good this material the romans made actually was. It is a shame that it was a lost technology else we'd have far more historic stuff still standing even now, well you wouldn't be able to get rid of it, too hard!

[@ElizabethMartin-s7h]

Every time I watch your videos I am convinced of your art and professionalism. Continue to delight us with your creativity!💻🖤🥇

[@stevenl.passalacqua3953]

Very interesting!

[@helenswan705]

Roman concrete reminds me of Gt Wall of China and its rice mortar.

[@pwhitewick]

Oh my....

[@TalesOfWar]

Nice ruler! Someone has been to the London Transport Museum I see lol.

[@pwhitewick]

Aye

[@GiacomodellaSvezia]

Very fascinating video, Paul! Are there estimates for the value of the Antikythera mechanism in today's currency that you know of?

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you. Not that I have read. I should imagine in the 10's of millions though!

[@ianmckay1780]

@@pwhitewick I think this is classed literally as "priceless".

[@semprelazio8864]

Everyone knows it was Greek ?

[@vibingwithvinyl]

Bots galore in the comments, again. I wonder when KZbin will finally get the problem sorted out, if they can.

[@pwhitewick]

I doubt it. I just leave them too it and appreciate the algorithm.

[@vibingwithvinyl]

@@pwhitewick Problem is that they're essentially advertising adult content to everyone on YT, including minors. That's why I report every spambot channel, not just their comments.

[@pwhitewick]

@@vibingwithvinyl thats fair! Yup, if I see any of that I block for sure.

[@davie941]

great interesting video again Paul, romans knew what they were doing , most of the time anyway lol, i wonder who the computer belonged to , well done and thank you 😊

[@pwhitewick]

The computer remains such a mystery!

[@ianmckay1780]

@@pwhitewick Bigger question: Who made it? When?

[@charlescawley9923]

The Antikythera device is most likely Greek, not Roman.

[@pwhitewick]

Indeed. But I nicked it on account of the Era

[@charlescawley9923]

@@pwhitewick At least they appreciated the invention. It included epicyclic and differential gearing long before Da Vinci or later Victorian reinvention. Remarkable.

[@SarahJurby]

It has Greek written on it. Dates of Olympics etc.

[@pwhitewick]

Yup. See descr

[@judeangione3732]

We keep being surprised that the ancients could use the sky for measurement. The sky was a real to them as the earth is to us. We can't even imagine a world without electric lights anymore. A sky full of stars and a sun that rises and sets on a strict schedule and map every year. I think the knowledge was kept secret from the masses but the architects and masons knew.

[@YoutubePremiumMem]

They didn’t use the sky for measurements. Where did he say that?

[@robertward7449]

The Romans could make self-healing concrete that lasts 1500 years. We make concrete that falls apart after 30!

[@pwhitewick]

Cheap!

[@AurianArchive]

We make concrete that works in conditions and under loads the Roman's could not. This is do blatantly stupid an argument assuming zero construction knowledge to propegate.

[@YoutubePremiumMem]

@@AurianArchiveagreed. It’s the same ‘lost technology’ crowd.

[@robertward7449]

Sorry, i was being facetious. Im not an engineer but i do know that different types of concrere are used for different purposes and modern structural concretes - properly used - are fit for there designed purpose.

[@gordonmacdowell8117]

I'm not certain that the Romans invented a single thing, but they did successfully adapt other people's inventions and often improved on them. Even all the weapons used by their legions came from other people. Calling these things Roman inventions is like calling curry an English invented cuisine. The Greek "computer" wasn't found on a trade ship. It was found on a over loaded treasure ship filled with looted goods from the Roman military campaign against the Poison King (Mithradates).

[@Jimyjames73]

Nope - never knew about this - every day is a skool er er I mean School day!!! Thanks for sharing 😉🚂🚂🚂

[@johnkemp908]

"Slaked" Lime.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks. Added to the description

[@stuwightman4855]

Ace!

[@dougwilson4537]

Anyone else thinking it....... 'What have the Romans ever done for us!' 😊

[@redjacc7581]

cool

[@dougritchie6870]

I thought the antikythera mechanism was considered ancient Greek and not Roman?

[@pwhitewick]

Roman Era... likely Greek. So yup.

[@redjacc7581]

doesnt it set even under water.

[@pwhitewick]

Apparently so!

[@robfenwitch7403]

That's not a slave in the York sewer. I've met him!

[@liquidsonly]

So "ov" == "have" now? I am too old too live anymore.

[@scotbotvideos]

Obligatory "what did the Romans ever do for us" comment.

[@BryceBillingsley-po3uj]

wow

[@SBCBears]

Waffle on, mate. This is interesting.

[@cvtsboy]

Glad that you said BC. Not BCE.

[@pwhitewick]

Imgine the issues and turmoil.

[@YoutubePremiumMem]

BCE is the correct academic term. BC is the pleb normie term.

[@christina3521]

Err, no it wasn’t the Greeks. Either Baldrick or the Etruscans.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Cement not concrete.

[@pwhitewick]

If cement is the binding ingredient. Does it matter?

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

@pwhitewick yes, because concrete has gravel in it, cement or mortar doesn't.

[@inguzwulf]

By the time you'd got to self-healing concrete (or i had, at any rate) i'd forgotten you started the video off this way🤦‍♂️ but as far as treats go, i'd rather have a Scooby Snack.

[@biomechanique6874]

The Romans claimed technologies from the Norse, the Chinese, advanced Africa and more locally, the Greeks. Just because they had artisans re-engineer things doesn't make it actually Roman.

[@jonathanfinan722]

Slaking, not slacking. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4uzeHuNbp6haMUsi=ZtAP5YVx0vIhjCOY

[@pwhitewick]

Yup cheers. See desc