Understanding Greek and Roman Technology: From Catapult to the Pantheon

Leveraging Human Power—Construction Cranes (1x17)

Air date: Dec 13, 2013

How were giant stone blocks lifted using only muscle power? Examine the technology of classical-era cranes, breaking down their components to understand how they provided significant mechanical advantage. Close with a theory on the construction technique used to stack the massive marble drums of Trajan’s Column in Rome.