Example: Why Nicias Failed at Syracuse
Again Nicias, the general of the Athenians, had it in
his power to have saved the army besieging
Syracuse, and
had selected the proper time of the night
for escaping the observation of the enemy, and
retiring to a place of safety.
And then because the moon was
eclipsed, regarding it superstitiously as of evil portent, he
stopped the army from starting. Thanks to this it came
about that, when he started the next day, the enemy had obtained information of his intention, and army and generals
alike fell into the hands of the Syracusans. Yet if he had
asked about this from men acquainted with such phenomena, he
might not only have avoided missing his opportunity for such
an absurd reason, but have also used the occurrence for his
own benefit owing to the ignorance of the enemy. For the
ignorance of their neighbours contributes more than anything
else to the success of the instructed.
Such then are examples of the necessity of studying celestial
The method of judging of the length necessary for scaling ladders. |
phenomena. But as for securing the proper
length of scaling ladders, the following is the
method of making the calculation. Suppose
the height of the wall to be given by one of the
conspirators within, the measurement required
for the ladders is evident; for example, if the height of the
wall is ten feet or any other unit, the ladders must be full
twelve; and the interval between the wall and the foot of the
ladder must be half the length of the ladder, that the ladders
may not break under the weight of those mounting if they
are set farther away, nor be too steep to be safe if set nearer
the perpendicular. But supposing it not to be possible to
measure or get near the wall: the height of any object which
rises perpendicularly on its base can be taken by those who
choose to study mathematics.