This is an early version of a communication network based on numbers. It could be used, in particular, as an improvement to the Hydraulic Semaphore system invented by Tacticus that Polybius wrote about in the history he wrote of the rise of the Roman republic. With 5 different torch patterns, one for each of the 5 numbers, you could send messages as sequences of these torch patterns. Rather than using different patterns of torches to mean whole messages, with his system any message could be sent. Polybius invented this coding system as a way of sending messages over long distances using torches. To work out the original message you use the same square, looking up the letters at the coordinates given in the message. Using this variation P is in position (5,3) so is encoded as 53. We will use a variation that is consistent with our traditional (x,y) coordinate system, so column number then row. The letters of the alphabet are then placed in the grid as shown with I and J pairing up in one square.Įach letter is then encoded using its coordinates – a pair of numbers. His square was just a 5 by 5 grid as below, with rows and columns each labelled with the numbers 1 to 5. It was called the Polybius Square.Īs he was Ancient Greek he, of course, used the Greek Alphabet. It could also be used as a form of cipher to send secret messages. He also perfected a useful communication code that could for sending messages over long distances. Polybius was an Ancient Greek Historian born around 200 BC, but he wasn’t just interested in history.
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