Ref: [en.wikipedia.org]

Using a rope as a lever

You understand what a lever is. But can you use a rope as a lever? You can if you are using is as shown in the figure. Arrange a strong column at a steep angle, apply a firm attachment from the rope to the column and the object to be lifted, and apply the force horizontally, and get a great multiplier of force. If one combines the mechanical advantage of pulleys in the horizontal force applier, you could get even greater lifting force. Picture the application in the figure, and in this case, you could get great lift upward then add planks of wood to support the load at height, reset, and lift again, and add more blocking, and lift, repeat. This technology has been lost in history, as the use of winches with low friction wheeled pulleys and reduction gearing powered by steam and then electricity (along with steel cable replacing rope) took over this primitive technology.