6 ms·

> Did these guy just travel in groups looking for a state to hire them? In the case of Swiss ones, yes [1]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_mercenarie

by rjsw 4y ago

> Did these guy just travel in groups looking for a state to hire them? In the case of Swiss ones, yes [1]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_mercenaries https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_mercenaries

edgyquant 4y ago
We’re discussing a period thousands of years prior where the logistical and economic shape of transactions are entirely different. The ancient Greeks worked at a time when even maps were non-existent and/or a new thing
- account-5 4y ago
  The Antikythera Mechanism indicates that those assumptions may not be true.
  - ch4s3 4y ago
    The Antikythera Mechanism dates to the 2nd century BCE, so about 300 years later than the period in question.
    - account-5 4y ago
      > According to the Smithsonian Magazine, Roman statesman Cicero reported that 3rd century BC Greek mathematician Archimedes apparently owned such a device, a full 500 years before the apparent age of the Antikythera Mechanism. [0] Not saying this is true but only that something that complicated doesn't just pop into existence. [0] https://www.grunge.com/223314/the-truth-about-the-computer-built-by-ancient-greeks/ https://www.grunge.com/223314/the-truth-about-the-computer-b...
      - ch4s3 4y ago
        Of course it comes from somewhere, and of course there we maps of the region in early antiquity. The 3rd century B.C.E is actually 200 years after the date in the article and 100 years before the Antikythera Mechanism. You can find a translation of Cicero here[1], which claims that Archimedes novel invention was the differentiated movement speed of other celestial bodes in the "same revolution." Pretty cool if true, but it does imply that people were tinkering with similar things at the time. [1]https://www.gutenberg.org/files/54161/54161-h/54161-h.htm https://www.gutenberg.org/files/54161/54161-h/54161-h.htm
- ummonk 4y ago
  Agree that we can’t extrapolate much from the late medieval era to Ancient Greece. But mapmaking isn’t required for logistical and economic sophistication. All you need is writing.

by rjsw 4y ago

edgyquant 4y ago

We’re discussing a period thousands of years prior where the logistical and economic shape of transactions are entirely different. The ancient Greeks worked at a time when even maps were non-existent and/or a new thing

account-5 4y ago
The Antikythera Mechanism indicates that those assumptions may not be true.
- ch4s3 4y ago
  The Antikythera Mechanism dates to the 2nd century BCE, so about 300 years later than the period in question.
  - account-5 4y ago
    > According to the Smithsonian Magazine, Roman statesman Cicero reported that 3rd century BC Greek mathematician Archimedes apparently owned such a device, a full 500 years before the apparent age of the Antikythera Mechanism. [0] Not saying this is true but only that something that complicated doesn't just pop into existence. [0] https://www.grunge.com/223314/the-truth-about-the-computer-built-by-ancient-greeks/ https://www.grunge.com/223314/the-truth-about-the-computer-b...
    - ch4s3 4y ago
      Of course it comes from somewhere, and of course there we maps of the region in early antiquity. The 3rd century B.C.E is actually 200 years after the date in the article and 100 years before the Antikythera Mechanism. You can find a translation of Cicero here[1], which claims that Archimedes novel invention was the differentiated movement speed of other celestial bodes in the "same revolution." Pretty cool if true, but it does imply that people were tinkering with similar things at the time. [1]https://www.gutenberg.org/files/54161/54161-h/54161-h.htm https://www.gutenberg.org/files/54161/54161-h/54161-h.htm
ummonk 4y ago
Agree that we can’t extrapolate much from the late medieval era to Ancient Greece. But mapmaking isn’t required for logistical and economic sophistication. All you need is writing.