530 MILITARY PROJECTILES. 



that projected below the walls, were broken to pieces, 

 and the crew perished. Very often a ship lifted high 

 above the sea, suspended and twirling in the air, present- 

 ed a most dreadful spectacle. There it swung till the 

 men were thrown out by the violence of the motion, and 

 then it split against the walls, or sunk, on the engines 

 ietting go its hold. As for the machine which Marcellus 

 brought forward upon eight galleys, and which was call- 

 ed sambuca on account of its likeness to the musical in- 

 strument of that name, whilst it was at a considerable 

 distance from the wall, Archimedes discharged a stone 

 of ten talents' weight, and after that a second and a 

 third, all which striking upon it with amazing noise and 

 force, shattered and totally disjointed it. 



' Marcellus, in his distress, drew off his galleys as fast 

 as possible, and sent orders to the land forces to retreat 

 likewise. He then called a council of war, in which it 

 was resolved, to come close to the walls, if it was possi- 

 ble, next day before morning. For Archimedes' engines, 

 they thought, being very strong, and intending to act at 

 a considerable distance, would then discharge themselves 

 over their heads ; and if they were pointed at them 

 when so near, would have no effect. But for this Archi- 

 medes had long been prepared, having by him engines 

 fitted to all distances, with suitable weapons and shorter 

 beams. Besides., he had caused holes to be made in the 

 walls, in which he had placed scorpions, that did not car- 

 ry far, but could be fast discharged, and by these the 

 enemy was galled, without knowing whence the weapon 

 came. 



' When, therefore, the Romans got close to the walls, 

 undiscovered, as they thought, they were welcomed with 

 a shower of darts, and huge pieces of rocks, which fell 

 as it were perpendicularly on their heads ; lor the engines 

 played from every quarter of the walls. This obliged 

 them to retire ; and when they were at some distance, 

 other shafts were shot at them, in their retreat, from the 

 larger machines, which made terrible havoc among them 

 as well as greatly damaged their shipping, without any 

 possibility of their annoying the Syracusans in their turn ; 

 for Archimedes had placed most of his engines under 



