The Might and Technology of the Roman Empire

The Roman Empire in 117 AD, at its greatest extent

Today on Far Future Horizons we present another exciting episode of the History Channel’s series Ancient Impossible.

The Roman Empire is known as one of the mightiest to ever rule the Earth and the extent of their ingenuity, ambition and scale of their engineering technology astound us today.

Senātus Populusque Rōmānus ("The Senate and People of Rome")

One ambitious emperor built a colossal wall spanning an entire nation, while another built a road that stretched from one end of Europe all the way to Central Asia. We explore ancient texts to uncover amazing Roman technologies including a horse-drawn arrow shooter (the Carroballista) which can be considered the world's first tank.

Roman carroballista on Trajan's Column

This installment of Ancient Impossible also reveals Emperor Nero's Golden Palace (the Domus Aurea) in all its opulent splendor.

In the center of Domus Aurea was an octagonal room (reconstruction above) with smaller rooms radiating from it. An ingenious mechanism, cranked by slaves, made the ceiling underneath the dome revolve like the heavens, while perfume was sprayed and rose petals were dropped on guests.

It was a building that contained more technology than any other in the ancient world including a revolving ceiling and elevators, but how was this technology possible two thousand years ago?

This episode of Ancient Impossible can be purchased direct from Amazon Instant video.

Ancient Impossible ~ Roman Empire

Ancient Impossible S01 E09 - Roman Empire by kaanozten Copyright Disclaimer Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.