In the 21st century, people tend to feel superior in looking back in time. However, there is no reason for such arrogance. Despite the absence of advanced technologies, intensive development of science, many things were invented in antiquity that go beyond the modern understanding. Scientists have not been able to recreate many of them until now.
Stradivari violin
Antonio Stradivari - Italian musical instrument maker
Photo: set-info.ru
Antonio Stradivari is the creator of musical instruments, the most famous of which are violins. A little more than 700 of them have survived to this day. The incredible clarity and depth of sounding makes each Stradivarius instrument unique. Almost 300 years have passed since the death of the Italian master, and his creations are still alive. Moreover, the violins have hardly aged, and their sound has not deteriorated.
Stradivari violin
Promotional video:
Photo: wpr.org
Researchers are still wondering how Stradivari managed to reach such heights in violin making. There are several popular versions. Some believe that it's all about form. Antonio Stradivari lengthened the body of the instrument and made creases inside. Other scholars are inclined to the version about the special materials from which the master made violins: the lower decks were made of maple, and the upper ones were made of spruce. Still others argue that it's all about special impregnation. The master initially soaked the hull in seawater, and then soaked it with certain mixtures with special resins.
But when a Stradivarius violin was covered with modern varnish, the sound did not change. In another experiment, the varnish was scraped off completely, but the sound quality remained the same. To date, no one can repeat the creations of the great master.
Flexible glass
Ancient roman glass beaker
Photo: en.wikipedia.org
Roman legend says that there was once a substance called liquid glass. The politician Pliny the Younger and the historian Dio Cassius told everywhere about the glazier who created amazing things. It got to the point that the craftsmen were brought to court before the Emperor Tiberius between the 14th and 37th years of our era. The governor took the flexible glass bowl and threw it on the floor. The bowl was rumpled but not broken. The craftsman removed the dent with a small hammer. Tiberius, fearing that the new material might undermine the value of silver and gold, decapitated the glazier.
Greek fire
Miniature of the Madrid Skylitzes, "Chronicles" of John Skylitsa
Photo: ru.wikipedia.org
"Greek fire" is a kind of combustible mixture that was used by the Byzantines in naval battles since the 7th century. In historical chronicles, a description of the action of this substance has been preserved. At sea, "Greek fire" was a terrible weapon for enemy ships.
The Greek fire was invented by the engineer and architect Kallinikos in 673. The device looked like a copper pipe ("siphon"), from which a combustible mixture burst out with loud sounds. The range of installations was 25-30 meters. The "Greek fire" could not be extinguished; it continued to burn on the surface of the water. The last mention of the use of a combustible mixture in battle dates back to 1453. When the mass exploitation of gunpowder-based weapons began, "Greek fire" lost its significance, and its recipe was lost.
Damascus steel
Damascus steel drawing. Imitation
Photo: kulturologia.ru
According to legend, blades made of Damascus steel could cut the hair falling on the blade, easily cut through iron armor. In terms of strength, they were many times superior to other swords. A distinctive feature of Damascus steel was considered to be special patterns on the surface. The steel got its name in honor of the capital of Syria, Damascus, but it is known that the city itself was not engaged in the manufacture of weapons. Perhaps this is due to the large market in the city where the blades were sold. By the 1700s, the secret of making Damascus steel had been lost.
Mithridates
Mithridatius - a universal antidote
Photo: allday.com
In ancient times, Mithridatius was considered an absolute antidote. It owes its appearance to the Pontic king Mithridates IV. The ruler believed that his own mother daily poisons him with small doses of poison. Then he invented a potion consisting of 65 ingredients. Thanks to the antidote, Mithridates IV managed to avoid death more than once. In the Middle Ages, mitridatius was considered a panacea for the plague.
