“I believe you are looking for an oracle, my good general. I am a man of science,” said Aliarchus, chief mathematician of the Rhodian school.
“And I am a man of war, Aliarchus. I do not traffic in superstitions and portents, as do some. But I am well aware of the power they hold over the minds of others,” the general sipped wine from a cup and set it down on the mathematician’s work table. “I am not here to determine the will of the Gods. If they exist, I am not so haughty as to believe they care one wit for the determination of battles between mortal forces. No, I seek only dates. Your natural science can predict the eclipse can it not?”
“Aye, it can,” said Aliarchus, “you are aware of the neutrality of the university. None of us here can declare for any army or country. We wish only to conduct our studies in peace, for the benefit of all Greeks.”
“And that is why we will pay you handsomely for the knowledge, Master Mathmetician,” said Menophon, General of the Corinthian army. He motioned to his men at arms, and they wheeled a chest into the scholar’s workshop. Menophon unlatched the clasp and revealed a king’s ransom of treasure within the chest.
“You are a lover of knowledge, dear General. Come, and we will consult the Mechanism.”
They walked over to to a pedestal, upon which stood what appeared to be a box covered with a rich fabric with complex and beautiful embroidery.
“This is the greatest achievement of the university, General Menophon. Built less than ten years ago, by the finest craftsman in consultation with the wisest sages of the world. Including my master teacher, Hipparchus,” Aliarchus boasted.
“If it can do what is reputed, Aliarchus, it will be your genius history will remember.”
“Bah, I seek no legacy. We are close to unlocking the inner workings of the universe, General. And with this device, you will see, the mysteries of nature are no mysteries no longer,” Aliarchus said as he pulled the cloth off of the mechanism.
It was unimpressive in appearance. A simple wooden box, marked with the Zodiac, and the planets, and the sun and moon. It stood not much higher than a cubit, and was even less wide. On its side was an opening, like a keyhole, into which Aliarchus inserted a crank made of bronze. He slowly, methodically turned the handle of the crank, and Menophon heard a chorus of clicks as the scholar wound the clockwork mechanism.
“The tension of the spring powers the device. You cannot see them, but within the wooden casing, a puzzle of gears of extraordinary precision mimic the movements of the stars, the sun, the moon, and the very minds of the Creator Gods,” Aliarchus had a dramatic flair for a man of math, “So tell me, General, what in the Universe do you wish me to reveal?”
The general marveled at the simple yet amazing device. He reached out to the dials on its face, and ran his hand over the exquisitely carved bronze.
“An eclipse, Aliarchus. I need you to tell me date of the next eclipse.” Not a noted tactician on the battlefield, General Menophon earned his reputation by demoralizing his enemies. Ensuring victory before the first charge of battle. His spies and informants did the difficult work, sparing his hoplites and archers from the worst horrors of war. If he could predict the portents of the heavens, and disseminate that information to intimidate his enemies, victory was assured.
“Yes, my General, I will set the mechanism, and you shall have your answer in moments.”
Menophon smiled, and took another sip from his cup of wine.
“And I am a man of war, Aliarchus. I do not traffic in superstitions and portents, as do some. But I am well aware of the power they hold over the minds of others,” the general sipped wine from a cup and set it down on the mathematician’s work table. “I am not here to determine the will of the Gods. If they exist, I am not so haughty as to believe they care one wit for the determination of battles between mortal forces. No, I seek only dates. Your natural science can predict the eclipse can it not?”
“Aye, it can,” said Aliarchus, “you are aware of the neutrality of the university. None of us here can declare for any army or country. We wish only to conduct our studies in peace, for the benefit of all Greeks.”
“And that is why we will pay you handsomely for the knowledge, Master Mathmetician,” said Menophon, General of the Corinthian army. He motioned to his men at arms, and they wheeled a chest into the scholar’s workshop. Menophon unlatched the clasp and revealed a king’s ransom of treasure within the chest.
“You are a lover of knowledge, dear General. Come, and we will consult the Mechanism.”
They walked over to to a pedestal, upon which stood what appeared to be a box covered with a rich fabric with complex and beautiful embroidery.
“This is the greatest achievement of the university, General Menophon. Built less than ten years ago, by the finest craftsman in consultation with the wisest sages of the world. Including my master teacher, Hipparchus,” Aliarchus boasted.
“If it can do what is reputed, Aliarchus, it will be your genius history will remember.”
“Bah, I seek no legacy. We are close to unlocking the inner workings of the universe, General. And with this device, you will see, the mysteries of nature are no mysteries no longer,” Aliarchus said as he pulled the cloth off of the mechanism.
It was unimpressive in appearance. A simple wooden box, marked with the Zodiac, and the planets, and the sun and moon. It stood not much higher than a cubit, and was even less wide. On its side was an opening, like a keyhole, into which Aliarchus inserted a crank made of bronze. He slowly, methodically turned the handle of the crank, and Menophon heard a chorus of clicks as the scholar wound the clockwork mechanism.
“The tension of the spring powers the device. You cannot see them, but within the wooden casing, a puzzle of gears of extraordinary precision mimic the movements of the stars, the sun, the moon, and the very minds of the Creator Gods,” Aliarchus had a dramatic flair for a man of math, “So tell me, General, what in the Universe do you wish me to reveal?”
The general marveled at the simple yet amazing device. He reached out to the dials on its face, and ran his hand over the exquisitely carved bronze.
“An eclipse, Aliarchus. I need you to tell me date of the next eclipse.” Not a noted tactician on the battlefield, General Menophon earned his reputation by demoralizing his enemies. Ensuring victory before the first charge of battle. His spies and informants did the difficult work, sparing his hoplites and archers from the worst horrors of war. If he could predict the portents of the heavens, and disseminate that information to intimidate his enemies, victory was assured.
“Yes, my General, I will set the mechanism, and you shall have your answer in moments.”
Menophon smiled, and took another sip from his cup of wine.