ΤΕΛΟΣ

hands

Σάμος, Ευπαλίνειο Όρυγμα,530π.Χ.

οn the curve


''And for one to fight then for what and whom? ...
And, in other words, all those who do not know (- or do not want to know) how to live in a simple and straight and true way, that's why they do not feel the need for a true and human architectural work...
But, to say for once again all the truth, the way it should be said without fear: - the true architect says whatever he has to say by whatever he builds and by the way he builds it. ..''
Aris Konstantinidis, architect (About architecture, 1983)


'The aqueduct of Eupalinos is an engineering feat of outstanding importance. This was the first time in the history of mankind that anyone had ventured to undertake a project of this magnitude, based solely on theoretical reflection worked out in further detail on the drawing board. In contrast with a normal engineering projecr, in which the progress of the overall design can be checked as each block of stone is laid in place, the engineer in charge of a tunnel is working literally in the dark. Proof that his calculations are correct is only forthcoming after the piercing - that is when the project has been vrought to a successful conclusion.

We do not know what Eupalinos's drawing office was like, nor do we know what kind of pencil he used to note his calculations. We can see, however, that he organised his designs and implemented them like a modern engineer, that he was ready with a solution for every problem that arose and that he had the courage to bring his highly dangerous project to a successful close. The name Eupalinos means a man who easily brings a task to completion. It is therefore entirely appropriate for the engineer of the aqueduct and it is coneivable that he was given this name in later times, precisely because he brought such an exceptionally difficult project to so successful a conclusion.'

Hermann J. Kienast, architect-archaeologist (The Aqueduct of Eupalinos on Samos, 2005, Ministry of Culture, Athens)