Heureka is a manga set in antiquity, during the Second Punic War between the small city-state of Syracuse and the Roman Empire. The series centers on the life and times of the renowned mathematician Archimedes. Archimedes was not only a gifted mathematician but also a respected engineer. During the conflict with the Romans, Archimedes was allegedly responsible for creating a number of war machines that devastated the Roman legions before they eventually gained the upper hand. The exact nature and use of these devices are controversial, existing more in the realm of legend than actual historical fact.