阿基米德保卫叙拉古Archimedes' defense of Syracuse

Impressed with Archimedes' easy success in singlehandedly moving a loaded ship from dry dock to the sea, King Hiero prevailed upon Archimedes to assist in the defense of Syracuse when that city was under the siege directed by the Roman general Marcellus. Many stories have been told of the ingenious contrivances devised by Archimedes to aid his city. There were catapults with adjustable ranges capable of hurling huge projectiles through loopholes in protective bastions. There were movable projecting poles for dropping heavy weights on enemy ships that approached too near the city walls. There were great grappling cranes that hoisted enemy ships from the water and violently shook them till the terrified sailors fell overboard and the ships began to crack up. A story that Archimedes used large burning-glasses to set the enemy's vessels afire is of later origin, but could be true. It has been said that Archimedes had the foes so confounded and frightened that all he had to do was to hang a free end of rope over the city's wall, and the Romans, fearing some horrible contrivance was on the other end, were afraid to go near it. Because of Archimedes' defensive machines, Syracuse held out against the Roman siege and blockade for close to three years. The city's defenses were finally broken only when, during a celebration, the Syracusans overconfidently relaxed their watches.