alexandria the great
In the ancient world, there were many strides and advancements toward a more developed society. However, in the field of technology there were colossal improvements that made quality of life improve drastically. Often times, inventions were discovered and utilized, but died along with the inventor for lack of any form of documentation. This was the case for many cities as well as their inventions. Although many cities were developed technologically in various ways, Alexandria stands out as the city that surpassed all others in technological advancement. Numerous accomplishments emerged from Alexandria's walls that we are aware of, yet many more died with the times. A close examination of those inventions that survived provides today's world with a glimpse into a society that was far more advanced than generally recognized. One of the most famous and well-known accomplishments of Alexandria was the Alexandria Lighthouse, or the Pharos of Alexandria . As one of the Seven Wonders of the World, it survived the test of time for over 1000 years (290 BC - 1323 AD), until an earthquake destroyed the building . Constructed by Sostratus, it stood almost 384 feet high and it was composed of three differen
As Ptolemy II came into power, he was even more adamant about securing original scrolls. When anyone arrived at Alexandria carrying scrolls, they were ordered to submit them; if these scrolls were not already in the Library's collection, they were taken and replaced with cheap copies done on papyrus. It was also Ptolemy II who was responsible for the organization of the Library manuscripts, yet the chief librarian would be chosen from scholars throughout the Hellenistic world. Although the Library was ultimately one of the greatest achievements of Alexandria, it was destroyed in 640 AD when the Arabs conquered Egypt . Yet another use for water was in the development of the water organ. Ctesibius invented a water organ in which air was drawn through the pipes by a falling column of water . This too, was expanded upon by Heron in the first century AD. In Heron's version of the water organ, a miniature windmill was used to power the organ. Air was blown from a pump into a chamber consisting of an inverted metal bowl in water; increasing air pressure forced water out of the bowl, raising the water level in the cistern that surrounded it and the extra air was pushed into a pipe chest above the cistern. From the pipe chest, there were individual pipes were controlled by valves that had a corresponding key; when the key was depressed, air was allowed to enter and the notes were then heard . As evidenced by the numerous inventions which were born of ancient Alexandria, it is clear that this was an extraordinarily technically advanced culture. Inventors of this society not only conceived of these creations (many of which are still used in some form today) but had the capabilities of constructing them as well. Despite the fact that things like Herod's steam engine were used for mere amusement, they were still colossal discoveries at the time. As a result of the myriad of inventions that bettered the lifestyles of the Alexandrians, it is possible to say that ancient Alexandria could be considered a so-called "think tank" of its time. The ancient technology of this civilization has proven with out a doubt that modern technology is not necessarily as "modern" as we would like to think; it is merely expounding upon that of our predecessors. The astronomer, Andronichos, built the "Tower of the Winds" sometime in the first century BC. This clock contained sundials on the top and a water clock on the inside. The time was given on a dial while a rotating disk showed the movements of the stars and the annual course of the sun through the constellations . Heron then further developed the design of the water clock in the first century AD that maintained an even flow of water into the mechanism in order to keep more accurate time . The slot machine worked through an intricate system of balances. One could drop a coin into the slot, which would then fall onto a small pan that hung from one end of a balanced beam, thereby raising the other end. As the end was raised, it opened a valve, which released the holy water out. When the balance was tipped, the coin would fall off and the valve was closed . The doors were designed to open when the fire would heat the air in a metal globe that was hidden underneath the altar. When the air heated, it would push the water in the globe up through a siphon and into an enormous bucket that was suspended by a chain using a system of weights and pulleys. As the bucket got heavier, it turned the doors on their pivots, causing them to open. Then, when the priest would extinguish the fire, the sudden cooling of the air in the globe sucked the water back through the siphon, causing the doors to close . <
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2483
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)
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