Roman Attitude Towards Technology Dbq

China’s Han dynasty and the Romans valued technology in their civilizations, but they used technology for different reasons to accommodate their empire. The Hans relied heavily on agriculture and developed technology to make labor easier and more efficient, which is depicted by some of their technology like iron metallurgy and water systems. In contrast, the Romans focused primarily on science and mathematics, so the intellectuals looked down on technology as it was used by slaves and for their labor. Han China’s attitude towards technology was more appreciative and focused on its benefits toward labor than the Romans who viewed technology as inferior and for the laborers in their class-divided society. All the documents written by the Han,

Cicero, an upper-class Roman political leader, writes in Document #5 about how upperclassmen, or gentlemen, are too intelligent and sophisticated to be working with simple-minded tools like the laborers. This document illustrates the negative connotation that Romans had on technology, and the lack of concern of how an improvement of their technology with benefit the laborers. Another document that degrades the lower class is document 7, which, written by an upper-class Roman philosopher, contrasts between people who work with their hands and those who use their minds. It says that to use and create technology takes a certain level of smarts, but it is not as important as those who work with their mind to reach enlightenment or greatness. Document 7 shows that laborers and their technology are of use, but the achievements of the intellectual upper class are more important as they are not interested in their technology if it does not benefit them; the philosopher is basically saying that laborers are inferior compared to the upper class who seem to matter more. Documents 5 and 7 are examples of the Roman attitudes towards technology as they show how the class dividedness of the society impacts the use and views on technology; upperclassmen believe they are too superior for technology that assists in work, and they

Document 6, written by a high official of Rome, emphasizes the brilliance it took a man to construct roads that had “grace and beauty” (Doc 6). This document summarizes how the Romans viewed technology like roads with practical uses, but they cared more about the beautiful architecture of it and how it enhanced the character of Rome. Another piece technology that the Romans valued was the aqueducts as shown by document 8. A Roman general, governor, and water commissioner reports the use of their aqueducts and marvels in the water production compared to other civilizations. The Romans are rarely interested in the improvement of technology unless it benefits and brings pleasure to the entire society, or mainly the upper class. Both documents, 6 and 8, highlight that the Romans were more interested in the physical appeal of technology than the actual uses and benefits that they