> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://nextbook.technosemiotics.eu/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://nextbook.technosemiotics.eu/technology-and-society/ancient-automata.md).

# Ancient automata

The concept ‘robot’ originates from Czech writer Karel Čapek. 

<figure><img src="https://3636858198-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjOI7fCUFF8DL08rRCHqw%2Fuploads%2FA0r1r9NIFGAaDr9vIR7s%2FSlide5.png?alt=media&amp;token=ae6fc3ca-c337-47b4-80fb-fe0b368c5def" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

However, automata are common through history both in the real world and in stories.&#x20;

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<figure><img src="https://3636858198-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjOI7fCUFF8DL08rRCHqw%2Fuploads%2FvkUqhPESMBk5WnTBPpEk%2FSlide8.png?alt=media&amp;token=f8b09cf6-8d41-4796-80b5-8e328ea3937a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://3636858198-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjOI7fCUFF8DL08rRCHqw%2Fuploads%2FBhBxN1Y8WuT42EqyfStx%2FSlide14.png?alt=media&amp;token=6fd80f5c-2a2e-49c1-b1d3-16eda6f2eff3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFrFi_Pq7vU>" %}

### Mechanical and psychological spectacle

<figure><img src="https://3636858198-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjOI7fCUFF8DL08rRCHqw%2Fuploads%2FLFIzbFlmU9tK5H2GNGqk%2FSlide17.png?alt=media&amp;token=6f8bc61d-a107-45ef-9e5f-da759309ac69" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://3636858198-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjOI7fCUFF8DL08rRCHqw%2Fuploads%2Fd3DRx75yHz9jo7Ip1HIq%2FSlide8.png?alt=media&amp;token=4449947c-8dee-4d63-92c5-748f1ab93080" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://3636858198-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjOI7fCUFF8DL08rRCHqw%2Fuploads%2FZhkWQeMWSYVpK7JTsgKC%2FSlide16.png?alt=media&amp;token=182cc02f-210f-480c-b064-0f4a76713b27" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp4Y5SWz8ns>" %}

### Temple automatics as power mechanism

<figure><img src="https://3636858198-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjOI7fCUFF8DL08rRCHqw%2Fuploads%2Fr0w7y6WVtTKWr1GWdSdu%2FSlide18.png?alt=media&amp;token=01152769-aaae-4b6a-af08-431536150a18" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://3636858198-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjOI7fCUFF8DL08rRCHqw%2Fuploads%2F12xDJzrNIiQGw1ZpYfwA%2FSlide9.png?alt=media&amp;token=9f578763-2548-4ed1-9fcf-fd96d0734195" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://3636858198-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjOI7fCUFF8DL08rRCHqw%2Fuploads%2FPhBxu7QHzHjGMKkfQcY0%2FSlide12.png?alt=media&amp;token=09e0e4ba-8ef1-4303-a0b7-db8af102aabd" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Moving on to medieval Europe, the automata and artifice in stories merge with the concept of *Natura artifex*, inspiring the 17th-century notions of mechanical nature and clockwork-world, which have in turn contributed to our contemporary models of rationality, underlying the conceptualisation of current technologies.

<figure><img src="https://3636858198-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FjOI7fCUFF8DL08rRCHqw%2Fuploads%2FcOy87B5Hrn0KdG7R8KEa%2FSlide46.png?alt=media&amp;token=0ae2392a-945d-481c-a0f4-906b030f83e5" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Natura artifex</em> forging babies. Harley MS 4425  f. 140r, ca 1490–1500. <br><a href="http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Harley_MS_4425 
">http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Harley_MS_4425 
</a></p></figcaption></figure>