The Antikythera Mechanism: The Story Behind the Genius of the Greek Computer and its Demise

by Evaggelos G. Vallianatos

In Antikythera The Story Behind the Genius of the Greek Computer and Its Demise, Evaggelos G. Vallianatos, historian and ecopolitical theorist, shows that after the conquest of Persia by Alexander the Great in the late fourth century BCE, the Greeks, especially in Egypt, reached unprecedented heights of achievements in science, technology, and civilization. The Antikythera Mechanism, an astronomical computer probably crafted in Rhodes in the second century BCE, was proof of that prowess. It's the grandfather of our computers.

Greek sponge divers discovered the Antikythera Mechanism in 1900 on a 2,100-year-old Roman-era shipwreck. The hand-powered device reveals a sophisticated Greek technology previously unknown to scholars and historians, not seen and understood again until the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The book not only describes how the sophisticated political and technological infrastructure of the Greeks after Alexander the Great resulted in the Antikythera celestial computer, and the bedrock of science and technology we know today, but also how the influence of Christianity on Greek civilization destroyed the nascent computer age of ancient Greece. Vallianatos, born in Greece and educated in America, is a historian, author, and journalist. He is a passionate champion of Greek culture and a well-suited guide to this historical account. Vallianatos explains how and why Greek scientists employed advanced engineering in translating the beautiful conception of the Antikythera Mechanism into an astronomical computer of a bronze-geared device of mathematical astronomy, predicting the eclipses of the Sun and the Moon; calculating the risings and settings of important stars and constellations, and the movements of the planets around the Sun; while mechanizing the predictions of scientific theories. The computer’s accurate calendar connected these cosmic phenomena to the Olympics and other major Panhellenic religious and athletic celebrations, bringing the Greeks closer to their gods, traditions, and the Cosmos.

This book is unlike any other. It tells the story behind the genius of the Antikythera Mechanism, including the decoding of its secrets in the last 120 years – and much more. It gives the ancient Greek historical context that makes sense of the computer, explaining its matchless genius. This book would be of great interest to discerning readers, especially those who love Greek civilization and are curious about the origins of science. It’s also full of insights for computer geeks, start-ups, computer company designers, and users.

A bold new interpretation, Antikythera Mechanism tells a riveting story of the Greeks’ greatest technological achievement, and how Christianity ended a potential computer age in ancient Greece.

432 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 22, 2021

Reviews

[Zdenek Sykora · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Antikythera Mechanism: The Story Behind the Genius of the Greek Computer and its Demise" by Evaggelos Vallianatos is a fascinating and insightful book that provides a detailed account of one of the most remarkable ancient artifacts ever discovered, the Antikythera Mechanism.

The book begins by discussing the discovery of the Antikythera Mechanism and its subsequent excavation, which revealed a highly sophisticated mechanical device dating back to ancient Greece. The author provides a comprehensive description of the mechanism, explaining its various components and functions, and explores the theories surrounding its purpose and usage.

Vallianatos delves deep into the history of ancient Greece, providing context and background information on the scientific and technological advancements of the time, and how the Antikythera Mechanism fits into this larger narrative. He also discusses the social and political context of the era, shedding light on how the mechanism may have been viewed and valued by the society at the time.

The book also covers the various attempts made by scholars over the years to decipher the purpose and function of the mechanism. Vallianatos provides an insightful analysis of these attempts, including the challenges faced by researchers due to the complex and intricate nature of the mechanism.

One of the key strengths of this book is its accessibility. Despite dealing with complex scientific concepts and historical information, Vallianatos writes in a clear and engaging style that makes the book accessible to readers of all levels of knowledge and interest. He also includes a wealth of illustrations and diagrams that help to explain the concepts discussed in the book.

Overall, "The Antikythera Mechanism: The Story Behind the Genius of the Greek Computer and its Demise" is a highly informative and engaging book that is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of science and technology, ancient Greece, or the Antikythera Mechanism specifically. Vallianatos' thorough research and insightful analysis make this book a valuable resource for scholars, students, and general readers alike.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book that is actually more of a polemic about Greek achievements during the time that the Antikythera Mechanism was made than it is a book about the device itself. Normally, that would have put me off but it is an important book in any case and, if nothing else, worth reading for the wealth of quotes and secondary literature alone. I must have ordered five to seven books because they were mentioned in this one.
Best read together with Alexander Jones’ “A Portable Cosmos”, which is a detailed account of what the Antikythera Mechanism actually does.