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Time in Antiquity

By Robert Hannah

Published November 25th 2008 by Routledge – 210 pages

Series: Sciences of Antiquity Series

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Description

Time in Antiquity explores the different perceptions of time from Classical antiquity, principally through the technology designed to measure, mark or tell time. The material discussed ranges from the sixth century BC in archaic Greece to the 3rd century AD in the Roman Empire, and offers fascinating insights into ordinary people’s perceptions of time and time-keeping instruments.

Reviews

‘Before the invention of clocks, what did time mean to people? Time in Antiquity is a fascinating look at how ancient Greeks and Romans marked the seasons and told the time - from checking the length of their shadows to tracking the rising and setting of the stars. The book is packed with technical detail that might put some people off, but Robert Hannah peppers his account with lively anecdotes from plays and poems, such as a greedy guest who arrives hours early for dinner when he measures his shadow at dawn instead of dusk.’ – New Scientist

Contents

1. Time in Antiquity: An Introduction 2. Cosmic Time 3. Marking Time 4. Telling Time 5. Measuring Time 6. Conceptions of Time 7. Epilogue

Name: Time in Antiquity (Paperback) – Routledge 
Description: By Robert Hannah. Time in Antiquity explores the different perceptions of time from Classical antiquity, principally through the technology designed to measure, mark or tell time. The material discussed ranges from the sixth century BC in archaic Greece to the 3rd century...
Categories: Classical Studies, Roman History & Culture, Greek History & Culture