When we talk about Leonardo da Vinci we can not help but think of his art and greatness as a visionary inventor (for those times), it is difficult to remember that Leonardo was also an engineer, and in particular a military engineer!
Of course, he did not do any military academy, he never dressed a uniform, but nevertheless his role is undeniable.
But proceed with order and to do so I will be helped by a writer some time ago, such Dmitry Sergeyev Merezkovsky, born in St. Petersburg in Imperial Russia of 1865, author of short stories, poetic writings, literary criticism, thinker and religious man. Among his works Dmitry can also count a jewel like the biography of Leonardo da Vinci and this is why I will call him by my side to support the thesis: "Leonardo was, among other things, a military engineer".
What do you think Dmitrij?
Good morning Alessandro, we meet again...
Good morning to you, Dmitrij. Yes, I could not resist the temptation. I picked up your book on Leonardo again and again I repeat what I said years ago at the end of the first reading. The book is perhaps one of the most beautiful, touching and interesting I've ever read. Compliments!
Thank you for your compliments. But tell me, what can I do for you?
Well, I see you go straight to the point. And be it! What interests me is to discuss the thesis if Leonardo was a military engineer or not. You can help us?
As you well know, if you read my book (and I know you read it) Leonardo was so many things. Leonardo was a genius as few have existed in the history of humanity and he took care of all the knowledge. If you want I can cite you a document that actually highlights those knowledge that I imagine should have a person to be called "military engineer".
As you know Leonardo worked for the Lordship of Florence and then at a certain point he decided to move. He sought work in Milan, at Ludovico Maria Sforza (the Moor) where he remained for about twenty years.
Leonado left Florence for the 1482 for Milan and stayed there until 1499.
Having said that just to frame the period, yes, Leonardo was certainly a military engineer and the first document I can show is a letter of introduction. The letter of introduction with which Leonardo enters into the good graces of Ludovico il Moro.
Here is the letter in its entirety, still preserved within the Atlantic Code:
"Having, my Most Illustrious Lord, seen and considered by now sufficiently the proofs of all those who consider themselves masters and composers of war instruments, and that the invention and operation of said instruments are nothing alien to common use, I will exert myself, not derogating from no one else, let V. Excellentia understand me, opening them secreti mei to that one, and thereafter offering them to all his pleasure in opportune times, operate cum effecto about all those things that will be noted in part shortly below:
I have ways of very light and strong bridges, and able to carry very easily, et cum those to follow, and sometimes to flee from enemies, and others safe and harmless from fire and battle, easy and convenient to remove and place. And ways of burning and undoing those of the enemy.
I know in the obsidion of a land to take away the water from the ditches, and to make infinite bridges, cats and stairs and other instruments pertinent to this expedition.
Item, if for the height of the embankment, or for the fortress of place and site, it was not possible to use the office of the bombarde in the obsidion of a land, I have ways of ruining every fortress or other fortress, if it were not already founded in on el saxo.
I still have ways of bombarde very comfortable and easy to carry, and cum those throwing minutes (saxi in similitude) of storm; and cum el smoke of that giving great fear to the enemy, with its grave damage and confusion.
And when it happens to be at sea, I have ways of many instrumenti actissimi da offender et defender, et navili that will resist the drawing of omni g [r] ossissima bombard et dust & fumes.
Item, I have ways, by cave and secret and distorted streets, made without any noise, to come (to a certain) and designed [loco], even if it was necessary to pass under ditches or any river.
Item, I will make covered wagons, solid and inoffensible, and which intrandally intrigues them with its artillery, it is not so great multitude of people of arms that they do not break. And after these they will be able to see many infantry, unharmed and without any impediment.
Item, when needed, I will make bombards, mortars and passavolanti of beautiful and useful forms, for the common use.
Where the bombarde operation fails, I will compose briccole, mangani, trabucchi and other instruments of admirable effectiveness, and fora of the used; and in short, according to the variety of cases, I will compose various and infinite things to offend and to [cleave].
In times of peace, I believe that I can satisfy very well in comparison with all others in architecture, in the composition of public and private buildings, and in conducting water from one place to another. Item, I will conduct in sculpture of marble, bronze and earth, similiter in pictura, what can be done in comparison with every other, and whoever wants to. It will still be possible to work on the bronze horse, which will be the immortal glory and eternal honor of the happy memory of your Lord and of the inclite Sforza house. And if any of the aforementioned things seem impossible and infallible to anyone, I offer my best to experiment with them in your park, or in whatever place your Excellenzia will please, to whom I humbly commend myself as much as possible."
Are you satisfied Alessandro? Here is the cover letter, in ten points, nine of which focus on war capabilities. Here is your Leonardo military engineer, among many things. Great genius in everything, even in the military field. Naturally Leonardo was hired. And, as you know, in those years Leonardo met a man, with whom he discussed military art, such Niccolò ...
Thanks Dmitry, Leonardo knew many great men, many personalities of the time. People who are still read by us, but this is another story. I greet you and thank you, see you next time.
Thanks to you, Alessandro, for thought. Call me again, happy to be useful ...
To learn more:
- Leonardo da Vinci, by Dmitrij Mereskowskij, Ed. Giunti
- http://www.scudit.net/mdcurriculum_leo.htm
- https://alessandrosicurocomunication.com/2015/04/26/la-lettera-trovata-n...
(photo: web)
