Distributing New Technology throughout the Roman Empire

Running head: Distributing New Technology throughout the Roman Empire

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Introduction

The Roman Empire was characterized by a high degree of diversity. Its geographical region was vast and its population was comprised of diverse cultures. In addition, the empire invented various technologies that enhanced productivity and the overall quality of life of its inhabitants. These included roads, aqueducts, military equipment and tactics and arts amongst others. Of great importance to its development was the distribution of new technology within the empire. Notably, this was imperative as it enabled the population to utilize the same for production. The army was charged within the responsibility of distributing this new technology within the empire. This was influenced by various factors that ranged from social to economic and technological.

To begin with, Peddie indicates that the army assumed this responsibility because it had sufficient resources to deal effectively with emergent challenges (23). In this regard it is posited that the distribution process was compounded by various security issues that could not be effectively dealt with and successfully overcome by the merchants. In particular, Phang argues that overcoming such challenges required strategic positioning within the society, sufficient resources and god leadership (42). Notably, the army was strategically placed within the empire and was fully supported by both the government and the population. Further, it had influence that was instrumental in enhancing effective implementation of its decisions. In addition, it had vital resources in form of finances, human resources and transport facilities that eased the distribution process. Further, the army had good leadership skills that made it possible to distribute various roles within its manpower accordingly.

The army was also deemed relevant in the distribution of the new technology because of the empire’s wish to expand its territory. In this regard, Sylvia asserts that the distribution of the new technology gave the army a chance to determine the strength of its neighbors (57). It provided them with a chance to interact with the natives in such territories and understand their way of living. This interaction also enabled the army to determine the weakness of its neighbors and device appropriate ways with which to conquer the same. Sylvia cites that one strategy that was employed in this respect was offering assistance to the weak territories that were being targeted (57). This enabled the army to win the confidence of the population in such territories. It then made it easier for it to conquer it and maintain its loyalty to the Roman Empire. Thus, in order to pursue this political will, the merchants were restrained from distributing the new technology.

On the other hand, the Roma Merchants’ roles were very well stipulated in the Ancient Roman Empire. Even though their roles always increased with increase in the size of the empire and the goods that were being imported, they never involved themselves in the actual distribution of the new technology. The merchants enhanced development of trade centers especially near Rome while others were bakers, food vendors, butchers and fishmongers. Job related to the distribution of new technology required hard labor and was characterized by distressing working conditions. The Roman Army, which included slaves, was utilized in the provision of the hard menial labor. The merchant comprised of the more privileged people in the Roman Society. They therefore avoided the menial jobs and instead concentrated on trade of the goods that had been produced by the artists, the farmers, constructors, and some of the political class (Andrew 11).

Further the army was skilled in construction of the technology. In this respect, Norman indicates that the personnel in the army were trained in construction of important technology (34). At this juncture, it is worth noting that they made most of the inventions and therefore understood the functioning of the same better than the merchants. For example, historical studies ascertain that the construction of aqueducts and military technology was entirely done by the army. It is in this consideration that it was considered viable for the army to distribute the new technology within the empire. This enabled them to teach the inhabitants how to use ad maintain the technology. As such the technology could be employed in production accordingly. Seemingly, the merchants did not have relative skills regarding use of new technology. Allowing them to distribute the technology could therefore undermine its utilization and have adverse implications in the overall productivity of the region.

Roman Empire Technology

The Roman Technology refers to the various engineering practices that supported the entire Roman Empire. The middle ages of the Empire’s existence led to development of various categories of technology and implementation of the same in various spheres of life. Indeed, different types of machines, development structures of roads and other transport technologies, construction materials, inventions such as mechanical reaper and military weapons were developed and utilized during the existence of the Roman Empire. The great talents that existed and were demonstrated in the Roman Army put it in a better position to distribute technology (Phang 52). The vast organizational talents in the Roman Army led to dissemination of technology with ease.

Roads

Roads, both within and outside the Roman Empire, were constructed with the sole intention of being utilized by the Roman army for their military endeavors. Certain regions which the Roman Empire needed to conquer had to be accessible through various means. The technology of road construction was therefore developed and distributed in various parts in order to enable the military to reach its target regions. Wagon traffic was also used on the roads that were developed in transportation of various commodities and war artifacts utilized in the war and for security enhancement. The total length of the road network that was developed by the Roman Army was eighty five thousand kilometers (85000km). The technology of road construction was done by digging pits (Peddie 31). The pits, which were dug along the intended road length, were intended to bedrock.. Indeed, the roads are still considered the most advanced due to their high quality, durability and their resistant to floods. Road construction technologies ensured scarce resources and war tools reached the desired destinations on time. Roads that were constructed also ensured that more territories were conquered thus expanding the popularity, strength, size and power of the Roman Empire.

Water Distribution through Aqueducts,

The military forces of the Roman Empire played a crucial role in the engineering process which entailed drilling of boreholes and ensuring that water reached the desired sources. Aqueducts were constructed mainly by the Roman Army. About one million cubic meters of water were supply throughout the Empire’s city (Trevor 55). A one hundred and seventy eighty long aqueduct was used to distribute water to various destinations. The Aqueduct army constructors ensured that high level technology was employed in the water systems construction processes. The force of gravity was fully relied upon in the transportation of water. The use of this technology was very important in ensuring that water, a very basic need, reached various sections of the Roman Empire to facilitate efforts to ensure that the empire continued in its dominance. Water was also supplied for overshoot wheels in Roma Gaul – Barbegal (Sylvia 44).

Arguably, the military were employed in construction of aqueducts in order to enhance the security and safety of the region. In this respect, it should be appreciated that underground development was geared towards a similar cause. Essentially, it was feared that visible structures would attract the attention of the enemies and prompt incidences of contamination ad poisoning. Since the army was judged with the responsibility of enhancing security, inlets to the aqueducts were kept as a secret. This kept their enemies in the dark and reduced the probability of poisoning and contamination by the same. Such ethics were basically instilled during the training of the members of the army. Comparatively, Phang argues that the merchants who did not have sufficient skills and values in this regard could easily reveal this to the entire public including the perceived enemies (56).

Farming Techniques and Technologies

Farming and other means of food production technologies were developed through the crucial role played by the Roman Army and other stakeholders. Dams such as the Subiaco and the Harbaqa dams were constructed by the Army and slaves to ensure adequate water supply in farms. Dams were constructed in Spain, Britain, North Africa, Wales, among other parts. Other farming tools such as the hoe, sickles, the winnowing folk, the grain scoop and the stout knives which had iron blades (Phang 66). The diverse farming tools that were distributed by the Roman tools enhanced adequate production of food that was so much needed as a basic need for the people. The advancement in the farming technologies enabled the villages and towns in the Roman Empire and the neighboring locations to expand at a much faster rate. Moreover, the various farming techniques enabled food to be made available to different people in different regions, including regions that had unfavorable conditions for food production.

Cities and Building Technology

The dominance and existence of the Roman Empire mainly thrived on the fact that wherever the Roman Military (army) conquered, they always built a very strong base. Construction technology thus played a very fundamental role in ensuring that strong long lasting bases were developed. Cities and buildings in the Empire mainly revolved around the City of Rome. The ‘Opus Craticium’ was the technology that was employed in the construction of wall and major buildings in the empire. The house of ‘dear’ the forum, the public baths, the curia and the colosseum are some of major building that were built using the Roman Technology that led to the existence of long lasting buildings and the great wall (Sylvia 45). The distribution of the building technology led to the building of very long strong houses and also expanded building and the Roman territory. Very long lasting buildings were constructed and later developed into towns and cities that were utilized as training zones for the army. It also made it difficult for the Empire to be attacked by its enemies.

Again, this can be considered a military strategy to keep the enemies at bay. In this regard, Andrew affirms that military know how was employed in the construction of important structures such as walls (21). In addition, it is argued that since the army was derived from the ‘lowly’ in the society, they understood the needs of different cultures and could incorporate the same in their structures. This was important in enhancing the sustainability of such structure with regard to utility.

Military Related Technologies

Due to the need to conquer new territories and maintain the existing ones, the Roman military played a very important role in ensuring that the Empire remained strong. Very deadly siege engines and equipments that were handled by individual people were utilized by the security forces. Cataphracts, which were heavy yet very intricate armour war weapons, were also employed the Roman military. Sylvia reveals that the military technological weapons and related tools enhanced flexibility of ensuring adequate security protection to the entire empire (53). Some of the tools were a result of craft work at various levels of the military. Onagers, Ballistas and Scorpions engines enhanced the accuracy of the attacks that were made to the enemy. The various military related tools helped to make the Roman Empire rule more stable. Military related technologies enabled the Army to safeguard the Empire. Cataphracts, for instance, were very efficient tools in the Roman Empire that were used to conquer enemies that employed more traditional tools in the wars.

In this regard, Norman argues that since merchants placed undue attention on the need to make profits, the probability of trading such tools with the neighbors in exchange for other resources was high (62). Notably, this had the capacity to compromise the stability of the region and threaten its wellbeing. It is in this consideration that the army was entirely accorded the responsibility of innovating and distributing such technology in the empire. While it ensured that all regions had sufficient arms, it also made sure that the arms were under the custody of trustworthy individuals.

Arts Related Technology

The visual arts that were used for employment and recreational purposes were very evident in the Roman Empire. Arts such as painting, literature writing, and making of sculpture metal work carving of ivory, pottery work and doing mosaic work was very common in the Roman Empire. Arts were also utilized as a means of portraying talent, communicating various messages to the future generations and ensuring that the community culture was maintained. Portrays of the great leaders and serious events were made in the preservation of the Roman culture and at times used as a means of education to the younger generations. Entertainment during leisure times was also made possible through various arts that existed at the time. Portraits of the Roma Empire which were made were utilized for the conservation of the Roman culture (Trevor 66).

Conclusion

It is very evident from the discussion that various technologies in the Roman Empire had a number of impacts both to the Roman Empire and to its neighbours. Various modern trends in the world can also be attributed to the various technologies that originated from the Roman Empire. Eventually, the distribution of new technology led to the increase in the rate of the Roman Emperor, increase in its influence and power structure thus its continued dominance of other regions that depended on it. Various civilizations were conquered through the efforts that were made to distribute the existing technologies to different parts of the world.

However, to some extent, the new distribution technology opened up the Roman Empire to the world thus making it vulnerable to attacks and likely exposure of its dominance related secrets. It is also certain that the distribution of new technology was entirely carried out by the army and not the merchants. This was because of the fact that the army had significant levels of resources and leadership skills, was endowed with sufficient resources and employed the same to conquer other territories. Of great importance however is the fact that its employment in distribution safeguarded the security and safety of the population.

Work Cited

Hodge, Trevor. Roman Technology. UK: Duckworth, 1992.

John, Peddie. The Roman Empire War Machines, The Dover, N.H, The Stroud Publishers. 1994.13-76.

Sara, Phang. Roman Empire Military Service: Great Ideologies and Discipline, Late Republic and the Early Principatge. Cambridge: University Press, 2008.

Smith, Norman. Technology and Rome. UK: Peter Davies, 1971.

Thurupp, Sylvia. The Merchants Special Class of the Medieval.UK: London Publishers, 1948.

Wilson, Andrew. Understanding Ancient Rome. Journal of Roman Studies, 90 (2002): 1-30.