What is the Antykythera mechanism?

The

Antychythera mechanism is an ancient scientific calculator (150–100 BC), which is often called the first mechanical computer. The anti -curly mechanism, made of bronze, has more than 30 gears, connected by teeth made of straight triangles. It served as a clock that included the present of the 365 -day Egyptian calendar, the Greek zodiac sign, lunar phases, parapegm (used to display stars positions) and the position of the sun and the moon. Current investigators assume that this information could be used to determine other astronomical facts, such as Mars and Venus. It was discovered in 1901 and only for more than a century of research - around 2006 - his function was well understood. The complexity of the device was composted for a 18th century watch, and nothing like that appears in the archaeological record up to the Islamic Golden Age about 1000 years later.

InvestigatorThe Anti -Qykyter mechanism has suggested that the ship probably sank on the way from Rhodes, the capital of Island to Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire and the most important city in the world at that time. One hypothesis indicated that the device could have been created at an academy based on a stoic philosopher Posidonius, which was known for its knowledge of astronomy and mechanical engineering. Newer analysis (2008), however, suggests that the mechanism could arise in Corinth that would connect it to the famous inventor of Archimedes.

In addition to the Antyczer Mechanism, there are several mention of devices similar to complexity found in ancient texts such as Cicero's 1th Century BC de Re Publica, which describes sophisticated planetariums and other mechanisms created by Archimedes and other surviving texts from Alexandria. It is assumed that the Roman consul of Caius Sulpicius Gallus first brought to Rome the knowledge of eclipses on the basis of its possession and study sofistIkped planetarium sometime around 129 BC.