Skip to main content

Secondary sourceArtifact22 December 2014

Replica of Heron's Ball in Hammered Copper

Josef Still · 22 December 2014

A modern hand-made copper replica of a steam-pressure device associated with Hero of Alexandria.

A modern handmade replica of a steam-pressure device associated with Hero, made to study his engineering ideas.

Ask Hero of Alexandria about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
A copper sphere shaped like a hollow ball with a curled stem-like spout on top, mounted on two copper arms above a hammered copper dish with leaf-shaped decorations, on a dark iron tripod stand with claw feet, set on gravel.
Josef Still, replica of Heron's ball in hammered copper, 2014.

About this source

What it is

This photograph shows a modern replica of a device known as Heron's ball, made of hammered copper by Josef Still in 2014. It has a hollow spherical body with a curled spout, mounted on arms above a decorated copper dish and an iron tripod stand.

Why it matters

Devices like this are linked to Hero of Alexandria's work with steam and pressure. This particular object is a modern craft replica, not an ancient artifact, but it reflects continuing interest in recreating and understanding his inventions using traditional metalworking skills.

Look closer

  • What can you learn about the original device from looking at this handmade replica?
  • Why might someone today choose to hand-forge a copy of an ancient design instead of using a diagram?
  • What might be different between this replica and the device Hero actually described?

This artifact 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.Book

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.Book

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.Painting

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.Document

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.Book

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 freeGet a quote for institutions