Video of the reconstructed 2000-year-old Archimedes computer

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

 

This ancient astronomical & astrological computer has been reconstructed.

 

Archimedes and the 2000-year-old computer

12 December 2008 by Jo Marchant

 

 

"MARCELLUS and his men blockaded Syracuse, in Sicily, for two years. The Roman general expected to conquer the Greek city state easily, but the ingenious siege towers and catapults designed by Archimedes helped to keep his troops at bay.

Then, in 212 BC, the Syracusans neglected their defences during a festival to the goddess Artemis, and the Romans finally breached the city walls. Marcellus wanted Archimedes alive, but it wasn't to be. According to ancient historians, Archimedes was killed in the chaos; by one account a soldier ran him through with a sword as he was in the middle of a mathematical proof.

One of Archimedes's creations was saved, though. The general took back to Rome a mechanical bronze sphere that showed the motions of the sun, moon and planets as seen from Earth."

 

The video of the reconstructed 2000 year old computer makes for fascinating viewing:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20026861.600-archimedes-and-the-2000yearold-computer--.html?full=true

 

For more information:

http://www.decodingtheheavens.com/

 

Actually, it's function reminds of the 'Muhurta Tool' feature in the Jyotish Tools software.

http://www.jyotishtools.com/

 

Best wishes,

 

Thor