Future fiction and the military: visions of other worlds?

Abstract

Speculation, hypothesizing and imagination are the dreamer's tools. Advanced research and novel technology for the military often profit from what are sometimes unstructured approaches to invention. Once that reality materializes, it may be stranger than the phantasma of the most unleashed of minds.The Geloans . . . promised to send a small force, as did some of the Sicels, who were now much more willing to come over to their side after the recent death of [King] Archonidas, who had been . . . a friend of Athens. They were also influenced by the fact that Gylippus had come from Sparta, apparently full of confidence. Gylippus now took with him about 700 of his sailors and marines . . .1,000 hoplites and light troops, and 100 cavalry from Hinera, some light troops and cavalry from Selinus, a few Geloans, and about 1,000 Sicels altogether. With this force he set out for Syracuse.