Spiral Fluted Columns and the Mechanical Screw: The History of a Mathematical Idea in Ancient Architecture and Mechanical Technology

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dc.contributor.authorHenderson, Georgina Jane
dc.contributor.supervisorOleson, John Peter
dc.date.accessioned2013-09-03T17:47:54Z
dc.date.available2015-08-23T11:22:05Z
dc.date.copyright2013en_US
dc.date.issued2013-09-03
dc.degree.departmentDept. of Greek and Roman Studiesen_US
dc.degree.levelMaster of Arts M.A.en_US
dc.description.abstractThis thesis examines the stone-carved architectural spiral fluted column from second-millennium B.C. Mesopotamia to the fourth-century A.D. Roman Empire, and establishes its relationship to technological devices such as water screws, screw presses, and other machines. Evidence from literary sources and archaeological records shows the increasing architectural use of the helical spiral during that time, particularly in structures such as theatres, nymphaea, colonnades and decorative gateways. The use of spiral designs on coins, sarcophagi, pottery and wall paintings is also discussed. The thesis presents: the mathematics of the spiral as applied in Mesopotamian architecture; spiral use in the Aegean Bronze and Iron Ages and the Greek and Roman worlds; and its use in technology and mechanical devices, specifically those of Archimedes and Hero. The conclusion summarises the evidence, demonstrating that the construction of the spiral fluted column evolved from that of the Archimedean water screw.en_US
dc.description.embargo2018-08-20
dc.description.proquestcode0324en_US
dc.description.proquestcode0346en_US
dc.description.proquestcode0579en_US
dc.description.proquestemailghenders@uvic.caen_US
dc.description.scholarlevelGraduateen_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1828/4893
dc.languageEnglisheng
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.rights.tempAvailable to the World Wide Weben_US
dc.subjectArchitectureen_US
dc.subjectArchaeologyen_US
dc.subjectRomeen_US
dc.subjectGreeceen_US
dc.subjectColumnsen_US
dc.subjectSpiralsen_US
dc.subjectFlutingen_US
dc.subjectHistory, Ancienten_US
dc.subjectTechnology, Ancienten_US
dc.subjectMechanics, Ancienten_US
dc.subjectMathematics, Ancienten_US
dc.subjectScrew pressen_US
dc.subjectWater screwen_US
dc.subjectArchimedesen_US
dc.subjectHeroen_US
dc.subjectMesopotamiaen_US
dc.titleSpiral Fluted Columns and the Mechanical Screw: The History of a Mathematical Idea in Ancient Architecture and Mechanical Technologyen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US

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