Upcoming lecture! 2/22/11 - HERODOTUS, ARISTOTLE, AND SOUNDING WEIGHTS: THE DEEP SEA AS A FRONTIER IN THE CLASSICAL WORLD

Dr. Oleson is a dynamic speaker. I heard him lecture years ago and the ideas and his presentation are still vivid in my memory. The AIA chose him as this year's Norton lecturer, one of the highest honors that the Institute can bestow. I am excited that they chose San Antonio as one of his destinations.

Once again we will be meeting in the Fiesta Room, located in the Coates University Center. The closest parking is at Alamo Stadium or Lot M (between the Ruth Taylor Complex and Stadium Drive). Our website http://www.trinity.edu/swtas/ has a link to maps (Coates University Center is #2 on the Print Map), or you can contact me for directions.

If you would like to join us for dinner with the speaker before the lecture, please contact me (info below).

7:30 PM Tue 22 Feb: Fiesta Room

Dr. John Peter Oleson, Department of Greek and Roman Studies, University of Victoria

HERODOTUS, ARISTOTLE, AND SOUNDING WEIGHTS: THE DEEP SEA AS A FRONTIER IN THE CLASSICAL WORLD

The ancient Mediterranean cultures knew far more about the deep sea than is generally realized. Pharaohs, emperors, scientists, fishermen, ships’ captains and sponge divers were all personally concerned with the topography and environment of the sea floor. Comments by the scientist-philosophers Aristotle and Posidonius indicate that by the early Hellenistic period, many areas of the Mediterranean Sea had been accurately measured down to 2000 m. This was an impressive accomplishment given the materials and technology available at the time. Both the difficulty of the undertaking and the apparently comprehensive scope of the inquiry reveal a profound and, so far, underrated interest in the deep sea among Greek and Roman intellectuals. In a richly illustrated talk, Prof. Oleson presents the surprising results of his research concerning ocean science and navigation in the ancient Mediterranean.

Suggested Bibliography/Websites

· J.P. Oleson, “Ancient Sounding-weights: a contribution to the history of Mediterranean navigation,” Journal of Roman Archaeology 13 (2000) 293-310.

· J.P.Oleson, “Testing the Waters: The Role of Sounding-Weights in Ancient Mediterranean Navigation,” pp. 119-76 in R.L. Hohlfelder, ed., The Maritime World of Ancient Rome. Memoirs of the American Academy in Rome, Suppl. 6. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2008.