Archimedes does not mention the focal property of the parabola in any of his extant works nor has any work of his on burning mirrors survived. This work contains the first known proof of the focal property of a parabolic mirror, although Diocles mentions that a contemporary of Archimedes by the name of Dosithius was aware of this fact. 240-180 BC) was born about 50 years after Archimedes and wrote a work entitled “On Burning Mirrors”. Polybius’s silence on this matter is one of the strongest historical refutations of the legend. He certainly would have mentioned burning mirrors if they were used, since they would have produced the most spectacular episode of the siege. Polybius, the earliest historian, born about a dozen years after the siege, gives a very detailed account of the siege and would have been able to interview survivors of that siege. AD 45-120)-did not write a word about burning mirrors or fire of any kind during the siege of Syracuse. The three earliest and most reliable historians- Polybius (Greek, c.Also, the Roman soldier-enactors, if any are present, do not ever attempt to extinguish even a small, smoldering flame that could grow and slowly reduce the vessel to ashes.įollowing is a list of diverse reasons (historical, military, mathematical and other) why Archimedes did not use burning mirrors in the Siege of Syracuse. These reconstructions always portray the invading Roman ships attacking under ideal conditions for the Greek defenders. Such reconstructions are now proliferating because of the ease of worldwide communication through television and the internet. Most such reenactments have involved the use of flat mirrors individually aimed by “Greek soldiers” to reflect the sun’s rays onto a single point on a small wooden boat.

Over the centuries many attempts have been made to demonstrate how Greek forces under Archimedes might have used mirrors to set aflame invading Roman ships that were attacking their city of Syracuse in 213 BC. The legend is ever captivating-even after 2300 years: a city under attack, a solitary genius who rescues the city, a spectacular military weapon, and the reduction of the attacking forces to ashes. Nonetheless, the research upon lenses continued to improve.The legend of Archimedes’ burning mirrors is too good to die, regardless of how much evidence is presented to refute it. They think that a sulphur-based chemical close to Greek fire was the real treat Vitalian army had to face. Other scholars disagree on the use of burning glasses in this occasion. In 515 AC, Proclus Oneirocrites purportedly used this same strategy to destroy the fleet of Vitalian during the assault of Constantinople. This myth inspired others to find similar solutions against enemies. Unfortunately, Greeks are known for their love for wine and the Roman army entered the city while the guards were celebrating the goddess Artemis. He got huge mirrors installed on the walls of the city to incinerate Roman boats approaching the coast. According to the myth, in 212 BC he elaborated an ingenious strategy to defend the city of Syracuse from a naval siege by Romans. Another Greek who probably used burning lenses is Archimedes, who went down in history for his mathematical discoveries and engineering inventions.Ī 6th century treatise written by Anthemius of Tralles tells a story about Archimedes and his use of burning glasses.

Archimedes mirror weapon