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2018 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

57. Ancient Chemical Technology: Texts from Greco-Roman Literature: An Interdisciplinary Approach

Author : Dimitrios Yfantis

Published in: 10th International Symposium on the Conservation of Monuments in the Mediterranean Basin

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

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Abstract

In this communication we tried to analyze texts from ancient Greco-Roman literature with technological interest whose translations in international bibliography are obscure and often incomprehensible. Based on Meteorologia of Aristotle, we assume that reverse osmosis desalination of seawater was known in antiquity. Researching texts of Pausanias (water of Styx) and Geber (recipe of nitric acid, aqua forte), we suppose that the preparation of mineral acids and aqua regia was possible during the Hellenistic period. Manuscripts of chemical devices are discussed and explained (alembic, Cleopatra’s Chrysopoiia, dry distillation of mineral sulfur). Finally, materials (binders or pigments) for corrosion protection of metals such as pitch, bitumen, and cerussa are also critically discussed and explained on the basis of Pausanias and Pliny’s writings.

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previous chapter UV-C as an Efficient Means to Combat Biofilm Formation in Cultural Heritage Monument. Biodiversity and Impact on Prehistoric Pigments?

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Theophrastus born in Eresus Lesbos an influential Peripatetic philosopher, pupil of Aristotle, considered as the first chemist and mineralogist of the antiquity (Pliny, Vitruvius, Dioscorides, and other authors were influenced by his writings).

Pliny the elder (Lat. Gaius Plinius Secundus) born in Como, Italy, encyclopedist influenced by ancient Greek authors (Natural History is the main work in 37 books based according to Pliny on 327 Greeks and 146 Roman authors).

Desalination: a process to remove salt, from Latin sal originated from the Greek als (αλς).

Aristotle born in Stagirus, Macedonia, Greek philosopher, logician, and scientist.

Wilhelm Pfeffer, German botanist. Earlier (1748) French physicist Jean-Antoine Nollet (1700–1770) described osmotic pressure.

Osmosis: derives from the Greek verb ωσμούμαι = to push, impel.

Pausanias born in Lydia, Asia Minor, Greek traveler and geographer whose work Description of Greece is an invaluable guide to ancient monuments for archeologists and historians.

Geber, born in Iran, is the Latinized form of the name of Jabir ibn Hayyan. Geber is considered as the father of Arabic alchemy with a strong influence to medieval Europe.

Name of sulfate salts from Latin vitrum = glass, due to the glass-like appearance of crystals.

Acidum muriaticum derives from Latin muria = salt solution or brine.

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The word alchemy is of uncertain origin, the partly Arabic origin is generally accepted.

Bolos of Mendes circa 200 BC Hellenized Egyptian alchemist frequently mentioned as Pseudo-Democritus influenced by Theophrastus. Author of Physica Et Mystica.

Zosimos of Panopolis, Egyptian alchemist of the early Hellenistic period influenced by ancient Egyptian technology.

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Title: Ancient Chemical Technology: Texts from Greco-Roman Literature: An Interdisciplinary Approach
Author: Dimitrios Yfantis
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Book: 10th International Symposium on the Conservation of Monuments in the Mediterranean Basin
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-78092-4

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-78093-1

Copyright Year: 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78093-1_57

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