PHILO OF BYZANTIUM: A writer on and inventor of warlike and other engines. Lived shortly after the time of Archimedes (Archimedes died 212 B.C.): was a contemporary of Ctesibius, who lived in the reign of Ptolemy Physcon, B.C. 170–117 (_vide_ Thévenot). PLUTARCH: Biographer and historian. Time of birth and death unknown. He was a young man in A.D. 66. POLYBIUS: Military historian. Born about B.C. 204. His History commences B.C. 220 and concludes B.C. 146. The most interesting edition is the one translated into French by Vincent Thuillier with a commentary by de Folard, 1727–1730. PROCOPIUS: Byzantine historian. Born about 500; died 565. The best edition is that of L. Dindorf, 1833–1838. [Page 44] RAMELLI, AGOSTINO: Italian engineer. Born about 1531; died 1590. Published a work on projectile and other engines, 1588. TACITUS, CORNELIUS: Roman historian. Born about A.D. 61. THÉVENOT, MELCHISEDECH, 1620–1692: Edited a book called ‘Mathematici Veteres,’ containing several treatises on the siege operations of the ancients, including the construction and management of their projectile engines. In this book are to be found the writings on the subject of military engines that were compiled by Athenæus, Apollodorus, Biton, Heron and Philo. Thévenot was King’s librarian to Louis XIV. After his death the manuscript of ‘Mathematici Veteres,’ or ‘The Ancient Mathematicians,’ was revised and published by La Hire in 1693. The book was again edited by Boivin, an official in the King’s library, who lived 1663–1726. The treatises contained in Thévenot were finally re-edited and published by C. Wescher, Paris, 1869. VALTURIUS, ROBERTUS: Military author. Living at the end of the fifteenth century. His book ‘De Re Militari’ first printed at Verona, 1472. VEGETIUS, FLAVIUS RENATUS: Roman military writer. Flourished in the time of the Emperor Valentinian II., 375–392. The best edition is that of Schwebel, 1767. VIOLLET-LE-DUC: French military historian. Published his ‘Dictionnaire raisonné de l’Architecture,’ 1861. VITRUVIUS POLLIO: Architect and military engineer and inspector of military engines under the Emperor Augustus. Born between B.C. 85 and 75. His tenth book treats of siege engines. Translated into French with commentary by Perrault, 1673. The most interesting editions of Vitruvius are those containing the commentary on siege engines by Philander. The best of these is dated 1649. [Illustration: FIG. 21.--THE CAPTURE OF A FORTRESS. _Criticism._--A fortification being entered by the besiegers, who have made a breach in the outside wall with a battering ram. A catapult is in the left corner of the picture, and four men are taking a balista up the approach to the gateway. _From Polybius. Edition 1727._ ]