Who invented a device which made it easier to handle the large heavy sails of the big ships that sailed the seas before the days of the steam ships?

The invention of the block and tackle system, which significantly facilitated the handling of large sails on ships, is attributed to ancient civilizations, with early iterations appearing around the time of the Greeks and Romans. However, the design was refined over centuries by various inventors and shipbuilders. This system uses pulleys and ropes to reduce the effort needed to lift heavy sails, making it crucial for the operation of sailing vessels before the advent of steam power.