Secondary sourceDocumentary15 November 2021

Aeolipile Engine Animation, Perspective View

MichaelFrey · 15 November 2021

A second modern animation showing Hero's aeolipile from a different angle.

A second modern animation illustrating the workings of Hero of Alexandria's aeolipile.

Ask Hero of Alexandria about this source View the original

MichaelFrey, Aeolipile engine animation, perspective view, 2021. Amateur digital animation.

About this source

What it is

This is another 2021 animation by MichaelFrey, showing the same aeolipile device attributed to Hero of Alexandria, this time from a different viewing angle.

Why it matters

Like the companion animation, this is a modern attempt to visualize an ancient invention credited to Hero, who described such a device using steam to create rotation. It is useful for understanding the mechanism but is not based on any surviving ancient image.

Look closer

How does seeing the device from a new angle change your understanding of how it works?
What is the difference between an ancient description and a modern animation of it?
What parts of the mechanism are emphasized in this version?

This documentary is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Hero of Alexandria on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Hero of Alexandria sources

Meet the AI Hero of Alexandria →

Manuscript page with Greek text in brown ink at top and bottom, and colored line drawings in the middle showing Hero's hydraulic bird-singing apparatus: several birds perched on pipes and arches, a tall cylindrical water vessel, a horizontal tank, and a bell-shaped weight on a chain.

Secondary source

Pneumatica

Hero of Alexandria · 1st century AD (this copy later)

Page from a Greek manuscript showing a colored line drawing of a temple-like structure with columns, arches, and a dome-like roof, with hidden tanks and mechanisms below. Greek handwritten text fills the lower part of the page.

Secondary source

Automata (Bacchus diagram)

Hero of Alexandria · 1st century AD (this copy later)

Painted miniature from a Greek manuscript: a bearded man with long grey hair in a golden-brown cloak extends his right hand toward the left, beside a dark archway. Red Greek lettering reads 'ΗΡΩΝ ΦΙΛΟΣΟΦΟ' beside him.

Secondary source

Hero of Alexandria in the Codex of Saint Gregory Nazianzenos

Unknown author · 9th century AD

Illuminated manuscript page with colored design drawing of a large siege engine or cannon in red, blue, green and tan, with a vertical arrow-like beam at top, surrounded by Greek text in brown ink on parchment.

Secondary source

Belopoiika (design drawing of a siege engine)

Hero of Alexandria · 1st century AD (this copy later)

Title page of a 1589 Italian book, engraved in black and white with an ornate architectural border of columns, scrolls and a central medallion. Printed text reads Di Herone Alessandrino De gli automati, ouero Machine se moventi, libri due, tradotti dal greco da Bernardino Baldi, with a small shield reading In Venetia, appresso Girolamo Porro, 1589.

Secondary source

De gli automati, ouero Machine se mouenti

Hero : Alexandrinus · 1589

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Hero of Alexandria now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for free Get a quote for institutions