“Deus-Ex-Machina” Reconstruction and Dynamics

Abstract

In some ancient Greek drama, an apparently insoluble crisis was solved by the intervention of a god often brought on stage by an elaborate piece of equipment. This ``god from the machine{''} was literally a Deus Ex Machina. Archaeological evidences and descriptions of mechanisms used in the ancient Greek theatre were investigated in an attempt to reconstruct the Deus Ex Machina. None of these machines, made of perishable materials is extant. However, from the numerous references to such machines in extant tragedies or comedies and vase paintings, information about its design and operation is available. Static and dynamic analysis and simulation of the mechanism kinematics were performed. The reconstructed mechanism is a spatial three or four bar linkage designed for path generation.