The Oxford Handbook of Engineering and Technology in the Classical World

John Peter Oleson is Distinguished Professor of Greek and Roman Studies, University of Victoria, Canada.

• Contributors, Abbreviations and Spelling Norms, Introduction, ; Part I Sources - 1- Ancient Written Sources from Engineering and Technology, 2- Representations of Technical Processes, 3- Historiography and Theoretical Approaches, ; Part II Primary, Extractive Technologies - 4- Mining and Metallurgy, 5- Quarrying and Stoneworking, 6- Sources of Energy and Exploitation of Power, 7- Greek and Roman Agriculture, 8- Animal Husbandry, Hunting, Fishing, and Fish Production, ; Part III Engineering & Complex Machines - 9- Greek Engineering and Construction, 10- Roman Engineering and Construction, 11- Hydraulic Engineering and Water Supply, 12- Tunnels and Canals, 13- Machines in Greek and Roman Technology, ; Part IV Secondary Processes and Manufacturing, 14- Food Processing and Preparation, 15- Large-Scale Manufacturing, Standardization, and Trade, 16- Metalworking and Tools, 17- Woodworking, 18- Textile Production, 19- Tanning and Leather, 20- Ceramic Production, 21- Glass Production, ; Part V Technologies of Movement and Transport - 22- Land Transport, Part 1, 23- Land Transport, Part 2, 24- Sea Transport, Part 1, 25- Sea Transport, Part 2, ; Part VI Technologies of Death - 26- Greek Warfare and Fortification, 27- Roman Warfare and Fortification, ; Part VII Technologies of the Mind - 28- Information Technologies, 29- Timekeeping, 30- Technologies of Calculation, 31- Gadgets and Scientific Instruments, 32- Inventors, Invention, and Attitudes toward Innovation, ; Part VIII Ancient Technologies in the Modern World, 33- Expanding Ethnoarchaeology, Index

This is an excellent book that will serve classicists reliably as a basic work of reference. The level of scholarship is very high, the writing generally clear, the breadth of the coverage impressive. Oleson's organization and editing are something of a marvel. An important contribution is the Handbook's demonstration through repeated examples, of our ability to define, comprehend, and appreciate the scale of things in antiquity