Steampunk Greek Gods – photographed by Foodbyfax at DragonCon 2010
Steampunk writers and readers love clockwork automations but they go back much further than you may think. They begin as long ago as ancient Greece, third century B.C. with Ctesibus, the first head of the library in Alexandria. He invented the hydraulis a water organ and the first keyboard musical instrument, the ancestor of the modern pipe organ. Clocks are a big part of Steampunk and his, the clepsydra, kept more accurate time than any clock until Dutch physicist, Christiaan Huygens invented the pendulum clock in the 17th century AD. If Ctesibus invented such a marvelous clock, what else could he, someone, or others have created to technologically revolutionize ancient Greece? Does your muse have you thinking about togas? What about a Steampunk and Greek mythology? Steampunk Greek Goddesses.
Asian Steampunk at Aetherfest 2012
But before Huygens came along with his swinging pendulum, a Chinese monk, Su Sung, created atowering clepsydra in 1092 AD. It stood five stories high, and was operated by a large water wheel, which acted very similar to a modern clock escapement. It most likely was the first mechanical clock. Every fifteen minutes the water wheel turned, then all the other cogs and gears, which opened and closed doors that released the automata. Here is a scale model of Su Sung’s clock. Just imagine, historical China and Steampunk, what a perfect combination for an exotic, adventure tale.
Let’s go through the mist of time from China to Japan back when Shoguns ruled and to the invention of karakuri dolls, the ancestors of modern robots.The dolls were crafted of paulownia wood with gear wheels to move the joints, and whale whiskers were used as the springs in the mechanism.
Just think, Shoguns, robots, and Steampunk, who could ask for more.
I hope you find this information interesting and aslo helpful for anyone who’s writing a Steampunk story set much further back than the 19th century.
This is cool! Do you know of any published work that has been written in and ancient steampunk world? I’d love to read some.
Thank you so much for your comment. I’m sure there are, unfortunatly I’m unfamiliar with them except I have read and loved James White’s The Silent Stars Go By – which has the incredible premise.that In ancient times an Irish visitor at the Alexandrian Library in Egypt is shown the plans on a toy to amuse the pharaoh using steam power. He ask the inventor for permission to draw a picture of it and how it works and takes it back to Ireland. The Irish develop steam power in ancient times and become technology advanced and create a space program. So in the 1400’s AD they launch a spaceship to settle a another planet, a new world. In this alternate history,
I Actually know three of the people in the steampunk greek gods! Thats so cool to see them randomly show up here….Great post by the way love the videos!
Thank you so much M. Shaffer. I was so so happy when I found that photo online and, th photographer, Foodbyfax, gave me permission to use it. If you click on the photo it will tak you to other photos of these Steampunk gods in their ingenious, colorful costumes. I’m glad you liked the post and the videos
Thanks for this! I’ve got an idea for Ancient Babylonian Steampunk and this gives me hope I can carry it off. ;D
Vicki, thank you so much for your comment. I’d love to read a Steampunk story with an Ancient Babylonian setting or even an ancient Babylonian connection. Great idea!