Greek Mechology - Part 4 - Automatia and Special Equipment

“The Greeks were known for their brains, the Romans known for their drains.”

- Anonymous.

Technology varies widely in this world.  Some locations are effectively the stone age.  Otherwise, are automated to the point where it’s approaching the modern quality of life.  The theater drove technological innovation by such greats as Pythagoras and Ptolemy (who are sort of around) who defined musical rules and regulations.

If there is a way it differentiates from our own timeline, it is the change in mentality.  In the original history, most of these automatons were little more than toys and rarely intended for practical application.  It only takes one person to change this mentality and that person is Archimedes.  By surviving, he acted as a catalyst for a change in technology.

This is further enhanced by 1^st Punic war.  It was far worse than in our timeline, and they didn’t get the massive influx of slaves, so it stirred the automation catalyst.

Furthermore, the shades of the past allowed certain knowledge to not be lost, so it was then expanded on.

But ultimately, it was a simple change in thought allowed for all the pieces to be brought together: cross-indexing.  Nobody is quite sure where it came, but the development of reference scrolls that allowed the sorting of material not only in alphabetical order but also in categories.  It has allowed creativity to create associations for new and exciting ways that spurred technology.

The Technology of the era.

The Aeolipile:

(Gts-tg - CC BY-SA 4.0)

This was originally conceived by Hero of Alexandria.  This was the first steam turbine.  It performed a simple task and levitated a sphere above a jet of steam.  Archimedes was given a couple of these machines as part of his surrender and learned that the steam could be used to push a fan in a circle, thus allowing a device to be propelled, then combined with screws, nuts, levels, gears, pistons and pumps allowed for great versatility.

The Antikythera Mechanism

(Gts-tg - CC BY-SA 4.0)

This was the 1^st Analog computer and it is a machine that originally used gears to predict the movement of astral bodies decades in advance.  Unlike in our timeline, this device was duplicated and innovated to use such clockwork, thus allowing analog devices to drive wondrous devices, often programmed by a drum with pins.     

Auto-drawing Lathe.

This copying device has been automated with a rudimentary mechanism with a photocopier to allow ideas to be transferred via scrolls.

Electroplating

The plating of metal was incredibly prolific.  It has allowed the development of grinding up of metals into grains smaller than sand and then fuse them to a medium to produce subatomic effects.  While originally performed with precious metals, it has expanded to use a wide variety of more conventional metals. 

This has allowed plating on objects to essentially have them change color depending on the light and has been used in military application to provide camouflage.  

They also have used phosphorous to shield metal underneath from weather effects and has experimented with strange metals to make weapons with unconventional material (ex. Rare earth metals) to enhance their combatant properties.

Electrostatic Battery

These reinforced jugs contain electric rays and provide a rudimentary charge that can use as a catalyst for many types of machinery. 

Stentorophonic tube

Setup along Greece and Rome at military forts and often are used as means of sending messages quickly as well as listening posts.

Rutways

These paved tracks were originally developed in Diolkos.  While originally of limited use, combining this with the aeolipile development has allowed a steam engine that gives rapid movement of goods and rapid deployment by defense forces.  Such tracks Crisscross the Italia Peninsula and the Greek Leagues.   These are in particular the pride of the Achaean League as they have used this to dominate their neck of the woods.

Sinous Rope

Rope made from animal tendons, while not exactly high tech, are usually the source of tension in most devices (ex. crossbows, gear crankshafts).  There has been a recent usage of a metal thread to increase durability.  Also certain fantastic creatures have tendons that are even more springy for use.

Vending Machines

These were originally used to dispense holy water in the temples of Egypt thanks to the legendary hero of Alexandria.  The toy war caused them to spread far and wide for objects that are generally nonperishable in areas of high traffic.   They are particularly prolific in Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

Automata of Note

Bubos

(pic from clash of the titans)

These mechanical owls are designed to act as a helper and apprentice.  They are small and clockwork.  They look to be made of gold, but in fact seem to be plated with a more common shiny substance.

Centipede

This is strange automation that is used for that most difficult of operations:  namely the landing of troops from sea and land.  It has a Greek Fire spray and then uses its fairly low profile to drop off troops on the beaches for any and all invasions.  It has been adopted by all Greek powers and even the Carthaginians have adopted these to ensure control of the sea.

Colossus 

                                        (Talos from Jason and the Argonauts)

While these are few and far between, these huge statues are automated as guardians.  They are usually designed to be somewhat amphibious and often use ocean waters to reduce heat issues.  The driver rides in the head.   Noteworthy Colossus are in Alexander, Athens, Rhodes, and Rome.

Dolium Duarum Laminarum

This is a barrel with a rotating blade that circles as it moves.  It is a cheap means to tear through infantry in enclosed areas: just wind it up and let it rip.

Myrmidons

This man-sized automata are designed to supplement standard infantry.  They are expensive to maintain, but often are great for mopping up troops.  They are armed with retractable spears and shields, but often contain chest weapons for ranged attacks.

Scarabs

These dog-sized mechanical beetles are an invention of Alexandria.  While they can be used for warfare, but also used in mining operations for their digging capabilities.

Weapons of note

Archimedes Claw 

Imagine a gargantuan crane with a grappling hook used to pull down ships.  This was originally used in Syracuse, but the Romans have adapted this to their automation as a means of allowing them to grapple their opponents at range and to climb.  It is mounted on the arm, but its winch and spool are mounted on the back to reduce strain on their machines.

Auto-Polybolos 

This automated repeating straight string catapult fires heavy arrows in succession has been augmented with the crank has been put on a piston track, allowing a hail of arrows that is easily moved by chariot, or even more bizarre constructs.

Auger Spear

This wind-up rotating drill-like blade on a short stick is good at catching enemies’ blades and breaking them, as well as helping with penetrating armor. Produced in mass, they are the default weapon of most modern infantries. 

Retractible Emota Tridenti

Originally a means to have some sort of polearm on the march, it somehow gained popularity with Women fighters as it provides reach and leverage.  It is an electroplated segmented pole with three blades that can easily retract into a baton for easy carrying.  It has two buttons, one that merely extends the blades for close quarter fighting and when that telescopes the handle to act as a polearm.

Greek Fire

This alchemical formula may or may not have been originally been created by the Greeks, this napalm-like substance sprays like a sticky oil and lights them ablaze.  It is a weapon of war that is currently sprayed not unlike a modern-day flamethrower.

Also, Barrels filled with sulfur, naphtha, and niter are either fired by catapult or floated as a weapon of denial. 

Heat Ray Packs

Archimedes pride and joy that allowed the defense of Syracuse for a while, its secrets have been rolled into the Roman forces.  While it was originally believed to be polished surfaces, it is, in fact, crystal light amplification creating a laser that can be used to ignite the fire or cauterize wounds.   It has been shrunk down to a backpack-sized weapon that allows Romans a unique advantage.   If it were not for the requirements of certain rare materials, they would be standard.  Instead, they are used in specialized legions controlled by generals and are used as shock troops.

Land Mines

Earthenware jars are often buried originally to make quicksand to create areas where infantry can move over, but larger vehicles will sink into the earth.  This is sometimes enhanced by the use of Greek fire contained in such canisters.

Steam Gun

While fairly slow, they act not unlike a pot that boils over.   Shooting a blast of steam through a pipe, allows a fist-sized bronze ball to hit with high velocity. They are mounted on Automata and defenses.

Vehicles of Note

Armored Steam Chariots

This one-man chariot is best described as a two-wheeled dune buggy powered by a rudimentary clockwork engine and with descent Shock-Absorbers.  Its speed and maneuverability allow an incredibly maneuverable ranged weapon platform.  The Romans have begun to use these in formations as a sort of killer segway cavalry.

Icarus Machine

Daedalus and his nephew Talus are rumored to have made his machine, and their shades revealed this knowledge.  It is essentially a one-man frame covered in feathers and frames that when launched from a height and then are propelled using a mixture of chemicals.  While masters claim to say they can stay up for hours, the truth is the average practitioner has roughly 10 minutes before gravity inevitably prevails.

Land Galley

(artist - triggerhappy from sufficentvelocity.com)

This vehicle seems to be the main defense of war machinery.   It is a vehicle with treads used for transporting and patrolling along the main roadways.

Scythed Chariot

Originally a Persian attempt to stop the heavy Greece Phalanx of Alexander the great, it has been updated to use rotating steam blades to penetrate tight formations.

Semaphore Wagons

These retractable wagons are easily wheeled and popped up to allow long-distance communications.  Both the Greeks and Romans are notorious for changing their codes on a regular basis.  They are built around an iron stove that blows smoke or fire depending on the time of day for long-range communications.

Wall Wagon

This collapsible wagon is designed to pop out at an instant, not unlike a tent trailer, but reinforced with heavy wood and iron, allowing for both relative comfort and instant defenses.  These are a new addition to Roman Legions as they increase range and reduce logistical issues.

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