Ancient logistics – historical timeline and etymology

Abstract

Fenomen logistike ima iznimnu genezu. Po nalazima koji su prikazani u radu, logistika datira iz razdoblja kasnog brončanog doba, iz antičkog doba. Uvjet za razvoj logistike bio je evolucija metričkih sustava, prije svega numeričkog sustava. Osnove mezopotamijskog i egipatskog numeričkog sustava Feničani su prilagodili u trgovačke svrhe. Tadašnji fenomen broja nije imao odgovarajući simbol, nego je predstavljen kao slika. Primarno značenje riječi logos je računati. Etimologija riječi logistike je izvedena iz sinteze računanja i slike, "vještina računanja pomoću slika". Detaljna analiza najstarije olupine broda – Uluburun, dokazuje intenzivne proizvodne i trgovačke aktivnosti kasnog brončanog doba na Mediteranu. Takve aktivnosti su mogle biti realizirane samo uz podršku intenzivnih logističkih aktivnosti. Prikazana analiza pomiće definiciju logistike daleko u razdoblje p.n.e. Čuveni Pitagora je bio prvi imenovani logističar.The phenomenon of logistics has an exceptional genesis. According to the findings presented in this paper, logistics dates back to Late Bronze Age (LBA), to ancient times. The bases for logistics development were an evolution of metrics systems, first of all numerical systems. The grounds of Mesopotamian and Egyptian numerical systems were used for commercial purposes by the Phoenicians. In that time the numbers were not displayed as symbols but as pictures. Primary meaning of the word logos was to count. The etymology of the word logistic was drawn from two words, the counting and the picture or the knowing of "numeracy skills through images". The detailed analysis of the oldest known shipwreck – Uluburun, proved intensive production and commercial activities in the LBA period in the Mediterranean. These activities could be realized only with the support of intensive logistic activities. The analysis of the logistics change, given below, shows that the definition of logistics starts far in the period of BC. The famous Pythagoras was the first logistician to be appointed