Introduction - lcsd.gov.hk€¦ · Learning Guide This exhibition is suitable for primary and...
Transcript of Introduction - lcsd.gov.hk€¦ · Learning Guide This exhibition is suitable for primary and...
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Introduction
The Roman Empire is one of the greatest ancient powers in the world
history. In its heyday of the Roman Empire, its territory was extended to
Europe, Asia and Africa. Among all the ancient Roman leaders, Julius Caesar
was regarded as the most outstanding military genius, politician and
inventor. He was a great military leader with excellent military strategy. He
led his army to win numerous battles. If we could travel back to ancient
Rome, we would marvel at the ingenious design and creativity of Julius
Caesar and ancient Romans. By applying basic principles of science, they
invented many war machines and large machinery both for attack and
defense purposes and constructed magnificent structures. Nowadays, we
still apply those knowledge and technology that inherited from this great
empire in our daily lives.
"Julius Caesar – Military Genius and Mighty Machines" is an exhibition that
integrates science and history. It is divided into four areas including
"Military Genius", "All Roads Lead to Rome", "Building Rome" and
"Entertainment and Lifestyle". It features over 40 models of ancient
offensive and defensive war machines, military equipment of Roman
soldiers, ancient surveying and construction tools, ancient maps and books,
model of the Colosseum and ancient Roman coins etc. Through these
interactive exhibits, computer animations and real object displays, visitors
can have a glimpse of the Roman Empire 2,000 years ago, and have an
understanding of the military talent of Julius Caesar as well as the advanced
construction technologies of ancient Romans from a scientific perspective.
Exhibition is created by The Artisans of Florence – NICCOLAI S.N.C. (Firenze)
Exhibition Period: 7.12.2012-10.4.2013
Venue: Special Exhibition Hall, Hong Kong Science Museum
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Learning Guide
This exhibition is suitable for primary and secondary students. Teachers can make use of the exhibition to cover strands such as "Energy and Change" and "Science, Technology and Society" in the subject of General Studies of the Primary School curriculum. The exhibition can also supplement the "Force and Motion" module in the subject of Combined Science and Physics in the New Senior Secondary curriculum.
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Abstract
1) War Machines
Victory in a war hinges on several factors: tactics of the leader, quality of
soldiers and the most important of all - strong and effective weapons. In
ancient warfare, equipment of soldiers played a significant role: uniforms
helped to boost morale of the soldiers; highly protective helmets,
arc-shaped shields, rigid armor, daggers, swords and spears were useful
weapons in the battles. The ingenious military strategy together with the
famous "tortoise" formation of Roman soldiers rendered them formidable
to their enemies. The Roman Empire therefore expanded her territory to
the coastal area of the Mediterranean Sea.
All weapons used at that time were mainly human driven. Power was stored
and released to become a strong and effective weapon. Today in physics, we
define the energy stored as potential energy and the released energy in
motion as kinetic energy. Energy is interchangeable but will not be reduced.
That's the law of conservation in physics.
A) Onager
The Onager in the exhibition is an example. It has to be wound up to store
the potential energy. Then it is aimed at the enemy and fired to release as
kinetic energy.
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B) Ram in Testudo
The Ram in Testudo used for breaking
through the fortification, which is the
gate and walls of the enemy’s castle, is
another example using potential energy
(to swing the ram backwards and push
forwards).
C) Pile Driver
The Pile Driver tower using soldiers’
power to lift a weight (potential energy)
with the help of pulleys directing at a
precise location is another example. By
nailing down (kinetic energy) heavy piles
into the river bed, Roman soldiers built
bridges over rivers so that they could cross
them quickly.
D) Assault Tower
An Assault Tower served as a fast and safe
pathway for soldiers to climb over the wall.
By attacking the enemies both from the
top and the bottom, Roman soldiers
captured castles effectively.
2) All Roads Lead to Rome
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2) All Roads Lead To Rome
The vast pieces of lands that were conquered by the Roman army had to be
managed and controlled carefully and watchfully. Even today, the renowned
Roman Roads have still retained their glory. Roman roads, which are
endurable, connected all areas of the Roman Empire, enabling the central
government to control all news, information and resources of her
conquered lands.
Roman roads were built of local materials. The foundations were large hard
stones. The upper layer was paved with smaller stones and then the surface
was paved with pebbles. To avoid forming puddles, the road surface was
slightly elevated at the center, diverting water to ditches on the roadside.
Pavements were built on both sides of roads. To facilitate pedestrians in
walking across the road, steps were built on the roadside.
At certain point, a milestone was erected to indicate the distance to the
nearest city. To shorten the distance between two places, all roads of Rome
were straight. How did the ancient Roman government design and
construct such large-scale facilities two thousand years ago? The answer
was very simple, by observation in daily lives and out of need.
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A) Odometer
This instrument measures the distance
travelled by a cart based on the number
of turns and the circumference of the
wheel. When the wheel moves, it will
turn the small gear which in turn drives
the large gear to spin slowly. Pebbles
were put along the slots of a wheel and
after travelling a certain distance, a
pebble will drop into a container. By
counting the number of pebbles dropped,
the distance travelled was then known.
It was then carved on the milestone on the roadside.
B) Groma
By observing the phenomenon that a string
carrying a weight will always hang down
perpendicularly to the ground, the Romans
invented this Groma to make straight lines.
This is based on the principle which is called
gravity today. Four plumbs of the same
weight were adhered to the strings hanging
from the four corners of a wooden cross.
When an observer saw the two opposing
plumbs in a line, a straight line could then
be drawn. Interestingly, the target might be
a partner raising a stick, or smoke billowing up in a forest.
With these simple machines, the Romans built roads of a total length of
8,000 metres along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, attracting tens of
thousands of visitors from all over the world for sightseeing.
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3) The Building of Rome
Soon after the Romans captured an area, they would start to rebuild and
construct the city based on the blueprint of Roman architecture, such as
colosseums, temples, aqueducts, columns, walls, castles, triumphal arches.
On the one hand, new citizens benefited from these constructions and
facilities. On the other hand, these magnificent structures demonstrated
power and prestige of the Roman Empire to the newly conquered people. By
winning the allegiance of these citizens, the Romans gained control of the
lands.
A) Crane with Treadmill (Calcatorian Crane)
According to record, this machine
can carry up to 20 tonnes of load.
It was driven by humans or
animals with the aid of pulleys. By
its side was a big wheel that can
accommodate 4 to 5 people to
work out the winding.
B) Ball Bearing
This bearing was believed to fit under the crane,
for the purpose of turning the crane around for
loading and unloading goods next to the pier. This
turntable applied the principle of friction. Small
metal balls were inlaid all around the rim of a
wooden round plate. Another plate, of the same
size, was then put on top of it. The contact area
between the two plates was reduced and hence
friction was much lowered. As a result, the turntable can be easily spun.
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C) Noria Hydraulic Energy Wheel
Water is an invaluable resource. Ancient
Romans cleverly used watermills to draw
water from nearby rivers, delivering it for
daily consumption or irrigation. Noria
Hydraulic Energy Wheel was constructed
near a river. Powered by current, buckets
of the wheel would be filled up with
water. Then they would be carried to the
highest point where water would be
poured out to a container for later use.
Extending the idea, gears can be added
to the device to produce a machine for
grinding grains. By cleverly utilizing the
force of nature, the Romans in ancient time enjoyed quality living.
D) Potter's Wheel
Potter's Wheel was a machine that
solely relied on man power. It was
powered by the potter, who slowly
turned and controlled the stepping
board by foot. A vertical axle of this
board was connected to the upper
disc which finally gave a speedy
rotation to form pottery which was
rounded and made more symmetrical
in shape. The faster the rotation, the
longer the continuity of the disc
spinning and hence the more
control of making the pottery. Animal fat would be applied to the axle to
reduce friction so as to increase the speed and maintain the continuity.
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E) Roman Arch
Arc-shaped architecture was invented by
Greek but Roman made it famous by building
them all around the world, marking the
glorious era in Roman history. To make an
arch, workers had to erect a temporary
arch-shaped scaffolding for support. Then
bricks would be laid on this arch. The last
piece at the centre was the keystone, which
allowed weight to be evenly distributed on
the foundation. In such way, lesser materials
made way for more space and hence more
levels could be built. Aesthetically, an arch structure gives people an
impression of spacious, harmony and splendid. Arch structures are common
in monuments, bridges, aqueducts and drains, colosseums, temples and
palaces. Its application extends to dome structure which is a key element in
architecture.
F) Roman Aqueduct
Romans used water a lot.
Historical remains of splendid
baths and fountains all
reflected their passion and
desire for luxurious living. The
design of aqueducts was based
on the principle of gravity,
diverting water from highlands
or mountains to the city. By
using excessive labour (slaves)
with perfect town planning,
the Romans constructed
world-famous aqueducts.
Today, Roman Aqueducts can still be found. In countries such as France,
Spain and Germany which were once under the rule of the Roman Empire,
there are aqueducts serving as a testimony to the glorious Roman history.
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4) Entertainment and Living
A) The Colosseum
The Colosseum is a landmark of Roman arch structure, symbolising the
cruelty of fights and heroic scenes of gladiators in ancient Roman times. The
four-tier Colosseum is supported by limestone and Roman’s own invention -
concrete. This spacious structure could accommodate eighty thousand
audiences and has a total of eighty entrances and exits. Velarium could be
extended to shelter the audience from rain and sunshine. The arena has
multiple uses: water could be poured into it to stage a naumachia, or it
could be loaded with sand on occasions of gladiator fighting, chariots racing,
drama performances or festivals. Ancient Romans were class-conscious. The
lowest tier was for the king and high-ranking officials. The second tier was
for the middle class. While the third tier was for slaves and foreigners, the
highest level was for women and poor people. Wild beasts were kept at the
basement and an underground lift was installed to bring the animals into
the arena.
B) Roman Tablet (Tabula Rasa)
Papyrus was expensive in ancient time so the
Romans used a wax tablet instead. Wax was
poured onto a wooden framework and a sharp
metal pen was used for writing. The tablet
could be reused by scraping the wax with the
warmed flat end of the pen. Ancient Romans
were really smart on living.
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Online Resources
Julius Caesar:
http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/caesar.html
http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/julius_caesar.html
http://www.kidspast.com/world-history/0085-julius-caesar.php
http://rome.mrdonn.org/caesar.html
Roman Empire:
http://www.roman-empire.net/
http://www.roman-empire.net/children/index.html
http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/
http://www.unrv.com/empire.php
http://library.thinkquest.org/22866/English/FRAME.HTML
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/roem/hd_roem.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/romans/
http://www.rome.mrdonn.org/