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You may have heard of Archimedes, the great Greek engineer, mathematician, inventor, and astronomer. A true titan of history. You might have even heard rumour that Archimedes was killed by a Roman soldier in 212 BC. This was indeed just a rumour. Archimedes was not killed but captured by the Roman forces. The Roman General Marcellus instructed his soldiers to spare Archimedes' life. 

A soldier came across an old man drawing something in the sand. This was Archimedes. An order was shouted for Archimedes to stop at once and surrender. There was nothing but a mocking silence. Archimedes did not even turn around. Angered, the soldier placed his hand on his sword as to pull it from its sheath, but then recalled the orders made clear by the General; "His life must be spared! Bring him to me at any cost!". He drew his blade, walked up behind Archimedes and hit him in the back of the head with the butt of his sword. 

Archimedes awoke on a ship. Where he was going he had no idea, but he was alive, at least he was pretty sure he was. His eyes struggled at first to focus on the person sitting on a chair across from him. A few foggy seconds later he could see the man to be none other than General Marcellus. He was staring at Archimedes with a look of triumph and satisfaction. A short smirk could be seen at the corner of his mouth. 

"Good morning!" Marcellus said charmingly.

"It certainly is morning. Where are you taking me?" Archimedes shot back.

"Ahh, you need not worry about that. You will be safe, rest assured." Marcellus said devilishly.

Archimedes rolled his eyes "Safe, you say. Was I not safe where I was the day past?" 

"Absolutely not!" Marcellus snapped, which led to a slight chuckle "You know, for such a smart man, you sure can be clueless. Did we not breach your city and paint the streets red from the thousands slaughtered? Is it fair to say that not even all of your amazing contraptions saved your life?"

"I suppose you are justified in saying so." He said defeatedly. "But why bring me with you?"

This time Marcellus let out a hearty laugh. "Archimedes, surely you are only playing the role of a fool. You cannot be this perplexed with a mind such as you have. You are coming with me to continue your work. Welcome to the next chapter of your life."

Just then a shout came from above deck, they had arrived at their destination. Archimedes walked off the ship with the General behind him and was surprised to see he was not in any part of Rome that he had ever seen before. 

The General walked up and slapped Archimedes on the back. "Beautiful isn't it?" 

"Will you tell me where I am now?" asked Archimedes.

The General looked out across the land proudly and said: "You are now a resident of Marcello! This is my land, my water, and my air. This is my island.  As of now, I have everything I need to build my society and you were the final piece of the puzzle."

"Am I right to assume this country is not sanctioned by Rome?" Archimedes probed.

"You are no longer playing the fool!" quipped Marcellus, "This is not sanctioned by Rome. I am no longer a General to the people of Rome, rather I am the emperor of Marcello. Rome may come knocking at our door, but now that I have your mind to construct defenses I am without worry." 

"So I am your slave to build weapons?" grumbled Archimedes.

"Slave?! Heavens no!" Marcellus protested, "You are a valuable citizen. The most valuable second to me. You, of all people, should know how valuable intelligence is. There are countless men with swords and shields I can buy with gold. Intelligence is a rare gem that is usually lost to the brutes. You shall help me build my dynasty."

"You have a mind to create, Archimedes, and I shall not be the anchor that weighs you. Here you will be rich with resources and craftsmen at your slightest wish. You will not only build machines of destruction but machines of reparation and creation. 
You shall teach the people and learn all that you can. You shall have kin of your own and teach them your knowledge to pass it down to the coming generations. Here you shall be safe to work and multiply." Marcellus professed. "However, there is one small detail that must be worked into the mix."

"Surely a great man as yourself would not be slivered by a tiny detail!" Archimedes insisted smugly. He gave Marcellus a look of enjoyment as he poked at his ego. 

Without breaking stride he continued as if he had not heard Archimedes. "You must change your name. Archimedes is dead!" Marcellus ordered. 

"History is truly written by the victors." Archimedes snorted. "You may call me Phronesis now."

Phronesis translates to mean "practical wisdom". Marcellus began to grin ear to ear. He had the smartest man in the world under his thumb. The very thumb he used to smudge the records of history. The world was now his for the taking.