> The tech necessary for steam engines was available by the late Roman empire IIRC I read somewhere it depended on the previous development of firearms, as it

> The tech necessary for steam engines was available by the late Roman empire IIRC I read somewhere it depended on the previous development of firearms, as it allowed metalworking to advance enough to produce metal tubes with very smooth and regular bores, that avoid leaks, jamming and uncontrolled explosions, to be fitted with pistons. The Roman empire had no firearms.