<p><s id="id.1.0.03.01">A man who had studied the sciences which we have just listed since his youth and had become expert in knowledge of the crafts which we have mentioned, and having in addition an excellent mobility in his nature, would, according to these people, excel in finding out mechanical contrivances, and he it was whom they used to call "chief-artificer". </s><s id="id.1.0.03.02">But those who were unable to combine these many sciences and crafts which we have mentioned were advised, if they wanted to do some work on mechanics, to learn the craft needed in that operation and appropriate to it. </s></p>
<p><s id="id.2.0.01.01">They say that the crafts needed more than any others in human affairs, and which are related to the field of mechanics in which the so-called "chief-artificer" is the chief and foremost exponent, are: (firstly) what is called in Greek the craft of "manjana" this being what the ancients also used to call the craft of "mechanics". </s><s id="id.2.0.01.02">For the masters of this craft raise great weights aloft by means of their devices, contrary to the weight's natural motion, with very little power. </s><s id="id.2.0.01.03">Then there is the craft which makes the tools which are needed as a matter of particular urgency in war and its practitioners are also called "mechanicians". </s><s id="id.2.0.01.04">For among the instruments they manufacture are those known in Greek as "Qatabaltiqu", which can be used to shoot arrows, stones, iron and similar things for a considerable distance. Together with these two crafts is that which the Greeks particularised by the name of "mechanics", in so far as its practitioners raise water from considerable depths with very little effort by water-wheels which they construct. </s></p>
