Understanding Greek and Roman Technology: From Catapult to the Pantheon

Stephen Ressler is absolutely fantastic!!! Through great visual aids and easy to understand explanations, Prof. Ressler is able to present complex concepts in a way that everyone can understand.He uses his models throughout the course to CLEARLY show the technology he's presenting, from a simple windlass to multi-part systems such as the catapult. When describing an arch, he doesn't just explain the importance of the keystone, he shows HOW it is built. [I always wondered how they held the side blocks up until they got the keystone in.]But what I loved most about this series is that it works on so many levels: history, development of civilization, architecture, historical travel, as well as a history of Greek and Roman engineering and technology.Although, my initial motivation in purchasing this was for the educational value, I came away entertained, informed and enlightened. It’s well worth every penny and then some.

Fantastic course! The lecturer does a wonderful job explaining how these technologies work with computer models and especially effective physical models and demonstrations. Do not settle for an audio only version of this course, as you will miss the great visuals. I would say for other potential purchasers that the companion booklet is not really necessary as it simply recaps the script of each lesson.

I learned a lot watching this series. So much so, that I started finding errors in different shows on the History Channel. Watching the show is a bit like being in a classroom, except that you don't have to take notes and sit in uncomfortable chairs. You have to watch from the first episode to the last in order because the "teacher" refers to things said in other lessons; so no jumping around. The camera angles became predictable after watching one or two shows and (for me) became distracting because I was always looking for or waiting for the change. I liked the models but the graphics could have been a bit better, especially for how much this cost.

Excellent series by a very enthusiastic instructor. Prof. Ressler uses models and simulations to demonstrate the principles behind the impressive technology the Greeks and Romans developed thousands of year ago. I've been to several of the historical sites Prof. Ressler talks about, and I have found his lectures fill in the details you don't get on your own or from a tour book or tour guide. Even though he talks about architectural and engineering principles, he keeps it at a level that all of us can understand.

I am a retired electronic engineer and I found the course to be the most fascinating presentation that I have ever watched. I have always been interested in the history of math, science, and engineering and this course was excellent. Prof Ressler is an outstanding lecturer who obviously knows his subject extremely well and presents it in a captivating manner. Wish I could have taken some courses under him back in my college days.

Fantastic -- combines history and engineering in an authoritative mix with extremely well conceived demonstrations in almost every lecture. I would have a hard time even imagining how this information could have been conveyed in a clearer or more engaging fashion.

This is one of the better Great Courses on Amazon. It covers a broad span of Greco-Roman technology focusing on 4 major areas: architecture, civil engineering, machinery, and military technology.Like all the great courses series, its full of all sorts of interesting details... For example, did you know that Greek Triremes didn't sink after being rammed by an opposing ship in a battle? They were nearly 100% wood and floated even after taking on water. They were usually hauled away by the victor as a trophy and so no trireme has ever been found by archaeologists.

This series reminded me of Ancient Imposible, with far more detail regarding "how" things evolved and why. The lecturer is concise, engaged and has an obvious love for the subject. I haven't seen all of the videos, but what I've seen I've loved. If you have ever been curious as to how advanced Greek and Roman technology really was, you will most likely enjoy this series as well. I highly recommend it.