The earliest known example of a clockwork mechanism is the 

Antikythera mechanism, a first-century

BC geared analogue computer, somewhat astrolabe-like, for calculating astronomical positions and
eclipses, recovered from a Greek shipwreck. There are many other accounts of clockwork devices in
ancient Greece, even in its mythology, and the mechanism itself is sophisticated enough to indicate
a significant history of lesser devices leading up to its creation. [5]
At some point, this level of sophistication in clockwork technology was lost or forgotten in Europe,
and only returned when brought from the Islamic world after the Crusades, along with other
knowledge leading to the Renaissance. Clockwork finally recovered the equivalent of pre-Roman
technological levels in the 14th century.[6]
As in Greek mythology, there are ambitious automation claims in the legends of other cultures. For
example, in Jewish legend, Solomon used his wisdom to design a throne with mechanical animals
which hailed him as king when he ascended it; upon sitting down an eagle would place a crown
upon his head, and a dove would bring him a Torah scroll. It's also said that when King Solomon
stepped upon the throne, a mechanism was set in motion. As soon as he stepped upon the first
step, a golden ox and a golden lion each stretched out one foot to support him and help him rise to
the next step. On each side, the animals helped the King up until he was comfortably seated upon
his throne.[7]
In ancient China, a curious account of automation is found in the Lie Zi text, written in the 3rd
century BC. Within it there is a description of a much earlier encounter between King Mu of
Zhou (1023-957 BC) and a mechanical engineer known as Yan Shi, an 'artificer'. The latter proudly
presented the king with a life-size, human-shaped figure of his mechanical handiwork (Wade-
Giles spelling):