Chapter 251
"What have the two of you been researching recently?" Devers asked with a smile.
"Other than helping the Senate's Mint Committee design molds and tools for silver coins, we've been mainly researching pulleys," Mentoticus said truthfully.
"Pulleys?!" Devers's heart skipped a beat when he heard that.
"Last year, when you defeated Crotone and annexed Turií, didn't Archita come to Amendolara?" Mattikoris said casually.
Devers didn't mind and nodded.
"He saw our newly built waterwheel and was very interested in it. So, he discussed the principle of its operation with us. At the same time, he also mentioned that he had recently become interested in mathematical mechanics and began to study the application of pulleys …" Martikoris said with some embarrassment. "So … I …" He glanced at Mentotic-Ells. "We began … to study pulleys …"
Devers understood. Although Archita was an important figure of the Pythagorean School of Thought and a mathematical genius, the two in front of him were just ordinary disciples. But in terms of academics, they were not inferior to anyone, especially Mattikoris. He had exuberant energy, strong curiosity, and a desire to explore. Now that he was living a good life, he put all his energy into research and wanted to compete with Archita in academics.
"How's the research going?" Devers softly interrupted Mattikoris's stammering words. Although he had returned a lot of science knowledge to his teacher in his previous life, it was not to the point where he didn't even know what a pulley was. It was just basic physics knowledge in junior high school.
"We've already created the mathematical formula for the reason why pulleys can save effort, and we've verified its correctness many times. Of course, using the numerical symbols you've invented has saved us a lot of time and energy. Now we're further experimenting with multiple pulley combinations to perfect its theory … By then, this discovery will change the entire Mediterranean world! Can you imagine a person using a pulley to pull a boulder more than ten meters high by himself?! Can you imagine a person using a pulley to pull a small boat by himself?! " Mattikoris's eyes lit up when he talked about mathematics, and he danced with joy.
Devers wasn't as surprised as they expected. Instead, he smiled and said, "I believe your research and invention will bring great convenience to the lives of the people of the Alliance!"
The two looked at each other, a little dejected. As Hades's favored ones, Devers seemed to have long seen the future development of mathematical research. Every time they stood in front of him, they never had the superiority of a scholar.
Mattikoris could only complain. "If you hadn't asked us to help them mint coins, our research would have progressed faster!"
"Isn't minting coins just to prove your ability to the Pythagorean school?!" Dyvers smiled. Back then, when he handed over the task of minting coins to Tritodmos, he did not consider the two disciples of the Pythagorean School of Thought. However, his high request put Tritodmos in a difficult position. In the end, it was Tritodmos who took the initiative to look for Dyvers and asked for Mattiris' help. After Pythagoras was banished by the Crotone a few decades ago, he stayed in Metapontum and designed an exquisite coin mold for Metapontum, causing the coins of this unknown Greek city-state to be extremely popular. That was why Dyvers thought of asking Mattiris and the other two disciples of the Pythagorean School of Thought for help.
"Compared to Pythagoras's era, the Academy's research on the design of coin molds is much more complete, so —" Mentoticus said humbly. "But they don't have a hydraulic press, so our silver coins are indeed better than theirs!" Martiris scoffed. "But they don't have a hydraulic press, so our silver coins are indeed better than theirs!"
After spending so much time together, Devers had a basic understanding of the two young men in front of him. Back then, most of the people of the Pythagorean school were unwilling to come to the remote town of Amendolara, so they were forced to send these two unknown foreign disciples. This was a huge blow to the sensitive Leontini. Under Devers's long-term guidance, the two, who used to be lowly in the school, had gradually deviated from and disagreed with some of the school's ideals. They wanted to compete with their former teachers and classmates.
Devers smiled and took out a piece of papyrus. "I have a blueprint here. It shows a machine that involves the use of pulleys. I wonder if you can make it?"
"Let me see!" As soon as Devers's voice fell, Mattikoris snatched it from Devers's hands.
Mentoticus moved closer and looked at the blueprint. "What is this machine called?"
"The people of Syracuse call it a ballista. It is said that it can shoot a stone weighing more than ten kilograms a few hundred meters away. Ten days ago, Syracuse used it to repel Carthage's reinforcements, "Devers said calmly, but his heart was not calm.
When Aristiras reported to Devers about the naval battle of Moria, he was very surprised. Diónia's catapults were still in the trial stage, but Syracuse's ballista and bow had appeared in large quantities in Moria and successfully sank many Carthage warships. Its power and accuracy were not comparable to Diónia's crude catapults. This showed the gap in military engineering technology between Syracuse and Diónia. This made Devers feel pressured. He immediately ordered Aristiras to obtain the blueprint of Syracuse's ballista at all costs!
Aristiras, who hated Syracuse, could not ask for more. After paying a huge price, he finally obtained the rough blueprint of Syracuse's ballista.
Hearing the name "Syracuse", the two scholars who had also lost their motherland looked at it even more seriously. They wished they could crawl into the blueprint.
"Mentoticus, Els." At this time, Devers asked, "Last time, I told you about attracting and recruiting more of your classmates to Diónia to expand the scale of the research institute and further promote the research of mathematical theory and application. How is the progress?"
Mentoticus reluctantly moved his eyes away from the blueprint and said helplessly, "Sir Consul, since the School of Mathematics condemned us for violating the rules and teaching in public, many students have cut off correspondence with me. Only a few foreign students who I have a good relationship with are willing to come to Diónia after listening to my introduction of the good environment in Diónia."
"As long as they are willing to come, Diónia will fulfill its promise! In addition, if they have any other needs, you can tell me directly. I will try my best to satisfy them! Diónia will create the best environment and conditions for you to study, discuss, and research. Even though you have fewer people, I believe that you will be able to produce results that are no less fruitful than those in Tarantum! "
Devers showed their full support for the mathematics research institute without reservation. Mentoticus was grateful, but at the same time, it also aroused his ambition. He said solemnly, "We will not let you down!"
"About the matter of sending teachers to the newly built school to teach, how is your discussion going?" Devers asked again.
"Initially, we were a little hesitant because of the lack of manpower. Now that some new students are coming, after discussing it with Mattikoris, we think that you are right. Teaching at the school can help us sort out the mathematical theories we have mastered and consolidate our basic knowledge. At the same time, it can also expand the influence of the research institute. Maybe we can get new inspiration from the exchange with the students … We are very willing to send people, but we have a request."
"What is it?"
"If we find a student in the school who is talented in mathematics, we hope that he can be specially trained to join the research institute in the future," Mentoticus said carefully. Mentoticus said carefully, because this was his and Martikoris's selfishness. Since they had fallen out with the Pythagorean school of Tarantum, they also wanted to develop their own academic group to compete with the Pythagorean school.
"Of course, that's not a problem, but you have to ask for the consent of the students." Devers agreed without hesitation. In fact, he was very happy to see this. Mattikoris and Mentoticus could consider the problem from the perspective of their own interests, which showed that they were getting farther and farther away from the Pythagorean School of Tarantum, both emotionally and in action.
"In addition, I am also planning to let the engineers in the various legions come to the mathematics research institute to be your assistants. This will not only solve the problem of your lack of manpower, but it will also allow you to closely combine theory and practical application."
"Of course, the research institute welcomes their help!" Mentoticus was better at dealing with things than Mattikoris. He said tactfully, "But we don't have enough money to pay them."
Comments