Where was the scytale cipher used?
ancient Greece
Scytale is a very basique transposition cipher used in ancient Greece and by spartans.
When was the scytale invented?
7th century BC
History. From indirect evidence, the scytale was first mentioned by the Greek poet Archilochus, who lived in the 7th century BC.
Who created the scytale cipher?
The Scytale cipher is a type of transposition cipher used since the 7th century BCE. The first recorded use of the scytale cipher was by the Spartans and the ancient Greeks who used it to transport battle information between generals.
How was the scytale cipher used?
This device, called the scytale, consisted of a tapered baton around which was spirally wrapped a piece of parchment inscribed with the message. When unwrapped the parchment bore an incomprehensible set of letters, but when wrapped around another baton of identical proportions, the original text reappeared.
How was scytale used by Spartans to encrypt messages?
This low-tech communication method gave Spartan generals the ability to send secure messages back and forth by wrapping a thin piece of leather or paper around a rod called a scytale. The messages would then be inscribed horizontally across the rod.
How was scytale used by Spartans?
According to the authors, before an admiral or a general was sent to war, he was given a scytale to communicate with the ephors in Sparta. When they had written the message, they would unwrap the strip from the scytale and send just that strip to the intended recipient.
What is the key to being able to use the scytale cipher?
The key parameter in using the scytale encryption is the number of letters that can be recorded on one wrap ribbon around the dowel. Above the maximum was 3, since there are 3 rows in the wrapped meassage. The last row was padded with blank spaces before the message was encoded.
Did Spartans invent encryption?
In 400 B.C., the Spartans invented a particularly clever early encryption tool for transmitting information between military leaders. This low-tech communication method gave Spartan generals the ability to send secure messages back and forth by wrapping a thin piece of leather or paper around a rod called a scytale.
How did the Greeks send secret messages?
These pieces of wood they call scytalae. Whenever, then, they wish to send some secret and important message, they make a scroll of parchment long and narrow, like a leathern strap, and wind it round their scytale, leaving no vacant space thereon, but covering its surface all round with the parchment.