The Roman Republic, led by General Marcus Claudius Marcellus, lays siege to Syracuse as part of the Second Punic War. The Syracusans rely heavily on Archimedes' ingenuity to defend their city.

Archimedes designs and oversees the construction of various war machines, including catapults of different sizes and ranges, the 'Claw of Archimedes', and potentially burning mirrors. These devices prove highly effective against the Roman forces.

Archimedes' catapults inflict heavy damage on the Roman fleet, launching projectiles of various sizes that sink ships and cause significant casualties. The catapults' accurate targeting and long range significantly hinder the Roman efforts to approach the city walls.

The 'Claw of Archimedes', if it existed, terrorizes the Roman fleet, lifting ships and causing them to capsize. This unconventional weapon disrupts the Roman siege tactics and inflicts psychological damage on the Roman sailors.

After a prolonged siege, Syracuse falls to the Romans. Archimedes is killed during the sack of the city. His death marks the end of an era of scientific and engineering innovation in Syracuse.