Greek and Roman Mechanical Water-Lifting Devices: The History of a Technology - Paperbackby John Oleson (Author) Water is fundamental to human life, and the ways in which a society uses it can tell us a great deal about a people. The ancient Greeks and Romans had at their disposal several mechanical water lifting devices. The water screw, the force pump, the compartmented wheel, and the bucket chain were developed by scientists associated with the great school at Alexandria. Application of these devices was sporadic in the Hellenistic