▶ Your Answer :According to reading, there is ample support for author's claim that Greek soldier did not make use of mirrors when they attacked the city of Syracuse. However, the professor in the lecture gives several reasons as a rebuttal to the author's points.
First, the professor contends that the reason why there was no scientific evidence is that myriad of treatises lost when library destroyed. Furthermore, In 423 B.C, the idea of parabolic mirror was mentioned. This casts doubt on the reading passage's assertion that curved mirror was not created when the war occured.
Second, the professor insists that Greek soldier could target a ship since they were well trained. As a result, they could develope the skill and practive in concert. This refutes the reading passage's suggestion that it is impossible to control elaborately with multiple mirrors.
Finally, the professor argues that once the ship caught on fire, it was difficult to extinguish. Since the ship used tar which is flammable, fire could become larger so it was impossible to put out. This counters the reading passage's claim that mirrors could not make the fire that resulted in burnt ship |