While working on a geometrical problem a well known Greek mathematician, who also had invented some machinery of military interest, was slaughtered by a soldier, against the express orders of his hierarchy. Allegedly the scientist was drawing diagrams and too busy solving his problem to obey the orders of the soldier. His last words were: "Noli turbare circulos meos!"
Who dunnit?
We don't know (and we don't need to know) the name of the soldier who killed Archimedes, the Greek mathematician who lived and died in Syracuse, Sicily. All this happened about 2220 years ago. The Roman General Marcellus had conquered Syracuse. The city was turned over to the troops to pillage as they pleased. Marcellus, having heard of Archimedes, gave express orders not to kill Archimedes. He wanted to talk to him - after all, he was a great admirer of Archimedes, even if his war machines had helped to keep back the Roman army for quite a time.
There are several versions of the story, but they all agree that Archimedes was drawing diagrams in the sand - circles, to be exact. He was working on a geometrical problem and was very concentrated. The soldier asked for his name, but Archimedes was busy thinking and didn't give it. Indignantly he said instead: "Don't disturb my circles!"
Apparently the soldier did not like this response and cleaved Archimedes' head open. When Marcellus heard this, he had him buried properly and in honour.
This is the first report of the incident:
Urbs diripienda militi data est custodibus divisis per domos eorum qui intra praesidia Romana fuerant. Cum multa irae, multa avaritiae foeda exempla ederentur, Archimeden memoriae proditum est in tanto tumultu, quantum captae terror urbis in discursu diripientium militum ciere poterat, intentum formis quas in pulvere descripserat, ab ignaro milite quis esset interfectum; aegre id Marcellum tulisse sepulturaeque curam habitam, et propinquis etiam inquisitis honori praesidioque nomen ac memoriam eius fuisse. (Livius, "Ab urbe condita", XXV)
Now you know! |
