Now here I was, thinking it was Galileo who invented the telescope, and I kind of heard that maybe the ancient Chinese may have had some, but this is the first time I have heard of the Romans having telescopes.
Galileo who invented the telescope
Galileo rediscovered the telescope - there is more than enough evidence that points to telescopes in use in Old Kingdom Egypt, and Rome. Both written and physical.
Lost during the muslim invasions of North Africa, Persia, and Europe which brought on the Dark Ages.