Iron Age to Dark Age: 1200bc to Ad 1000.

The empires of the Persians, Greeks and Romans called for practical civilising devices, and their innovative people obliged. Pythagorus invented the abacus, which greatly aided the administrators, who were also helped in this period by the appearance of the pen and a version of shorthand. Inspired by the presses used for extracting grape juice and olive oil, Archimedes developed a revolutionary water-lifting device that became known as Archimedes' Screw. The first aqueducts were built, essential for irrigation and supplying the growing cities with fresh water. Also in this period the first compass was made - from bronze - and the first hospitals were devised.