The measurement of time in Antiquity.
Beautiful Letters| N° d'inventaire | 19122 |
| Format | 16 x 24 |
| Détails | 440 p., color and black and white illustrations, paperback. |
| Publication | Paris, 2015 |
| Etat | Nine |
| ISBN | |
Antiquity is rarely considered a period of widespread use of time-measuring instruments. In fact, these are often considered crude, uninventive, or even nonexistent. This work synthesizes, for the first time, the data on the subject and challenges preconceived ideas. Time-measuring instruments were an integral part of ancient customs: time governed many aspects of daily life, both private and public. Epigraphy and archaeology attest to this particular need. Every city was required to own several public instruments, whether rudimentary or complex and monumental. Every relatively wealthy property owner was required to have a sundial in their garden. These instruments, more than hydraulic clocks, constituted the basis of "ancient horology." With numerous typologies, the sundial could present complex information. Originally an astronomical and educational tool, it quickly became a simple tool for everyday use, gradually losing its scientific specificities. On the other hand, the sundial has nevertheless taken on a strong symbolic dimension that is still deeply rooted in our modern mentalities. What we owe to Antiquity in terms of time measurement perhaps goes beyond the usual technological issues. Jérôme Bonnin holds a doctorate in Roman archaeology from the University of Lille 3. He defended his thesis "Horologia Romana, archaeological research on time measuring instruments in the Roman era. Typological, urban and social study" in 2012 and continues his research on the theme of time measurement and its social implications in Antiquity. He is the author of numerous articles on the subject.
Antiquity is rarely considered a period of widespread use of time-measuring instruments. In fact, these are often considered crude, uninventive, or even nonexistent. This work synthesizes, for the first time, the data on the subject and challenges preconceived ideas. Time-measuring instruments were an integral part of ancient customs: time governed many aspects of daily life, both private and public. Epigraphy and archaeology attest to this particular need. Every city was required to own several public instruments, whether rudimentary or complex and monumental. Every relatively wealthy property owner was required to have a sundial in their garden. These instruments, more than hydraulic clocks, constituted the basis of "ancient horology." With numerous typologies, the sundial could present complex information. Originally an astronomical and educational tool, it quickly became a simple tool for everyday use, gradually losing its scientific specificities. On the other hand, the sundial has nevertheless taken on a strong symbolic dimension that is still deeply rooted in our modern mentalities. What we owe to Antiquity in terms of time measurement perhaps goes beyond the usual technological issues. Jérôme Bonnin holds a doctorate in Roman archaeology from the University of Lille 3. He defended his thesis "Horologia Romana, archaeological research on time measuring instruments in the Roman era. Typological, urban and social study" in 2012 and continues his research on the theme of time measurement and its social implications in Antiquity. He is the author of numerous articles on the subject.