Ancient Greek architecture was inspired by the thought of the period and this formed the way they created mediums. The challenge in interpreting Ancient Greek painting was that the thinkers maintained a abstract interpretation of color and painting whereas the creators were more realistic in their creation of material.
There we have the the seed of what is to becoming engineering in the term techne. But art and science were closely linked with the Greeks and romans, and it may be claimed that it was inspired by Plato's and Aristotle's ideas.
Yes Napoleon did sell the Louisiana territory to fund his military advances but he also knew that this territory was too much of a hassle and too difficult to defend.
