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The Time Terrifying Metal Claws Sank a Roman Fleet (And Thwarted an Invasion)
Something supernatural or just a superweapon?
In 214 BCE, a fleet of Roman quinqueremes approached the Sicilian city of Syracuse for a raid. The military actions were a part of the Second Punic War. Rome wanted to sneak a fleet up to the city walls in hopes of getting men inside under the cover of darkness. Unfortunately, when the Roman vessels approached the walls, something terrifying happened. Dark metal shapes appeared out of the gloom and descended onto the decks of the ships. In a flurry of violence, these metal arms sank ships, swept men from the decks, and spun ships around. In a morass of confusion and fear, the Romans retreated and were subsequently bombarded by catapults with uncannily long range.
Fearful soldiers would later report seeing entire ships lifted clear out of the water and dropped on their heads, leading to numerous deaths. The idea of metal hands lifting entire ships out of the water in 214 BCE is baffling, but there are credible sources that back up these claims.
The Roman fleet had been decimated by something called the Claws of Archimedes. These machines were the brainchild of the eminent genius of the time, Archimedes, who would spend ample amounts of manpower and brainpower to defend his beloved city of…
