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Ancient Greeks also made basic steam engine as well as basic rail transport. The limiting factor was probably metallurgy, but it's fun to think about what-ifs.
by dreen 4y ago
Ancient Greeks also made basic steam engine as well as basic rail transport. The limiting factor was probably metallurgy, but it's fun to think about what-ifs.
- shadowofneptune 4y agoWhat would they do with a steam engine, even if a practical one was built? Mines could usually be kept clear using hand pumps, and there was no coal mining then to make early engines useful. The many wars between Greek kingdoms resulted in thousands of skilled and unskilled laborers being pressed into slavery; a steam engine would also have to compete against that. This article covers in detail how different the ancient economies were from 1700s Britain: https://acoup.blog/2022/08/26/collections-why-no-roman-industrial-revolution/ https://acoup.blog/2022/08/26/collections-why-no-roman-indus...
- AstralStorm 4y agoFunnily enough they did use windmill pumps instead of steam for this exact purpose. The thing with steam is that it clearly beats mechanical systems only at very high heat and pressure. I would expect steam to have been used like in Korea - for heating efficiency.
- layer8 4y agoLet’s create greekpunk. Like steampunk but with togas and sandals and temples, in a Mediterranean setting.
- LargoLasskhyfv 4y agoNot exactly the same, but try https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Years_of_Rice_and_Salt ? I enjoyed it very much.