The scytale could have been used for a variety of purposes, including as a messenger authentication stick, as a sort of military name-tag, and as a cryptographic device. From Plutarch we know that scytalae were very probably used as tools for cryptography during wartime.

What was the use of the scytale?

history of cryptology

…a cipher device called the scytale for secret communication between military commanders. The scytale consisted of a tapered baton, around which was spirally wrapped a strip of parchment or leather on which the message was then written.

When was the scytale cipher used?

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.