Archimedes The Life and Work of Archimedes (original) (raw)
Life and Work of Archimedes
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Archimedes was an ancient Greek mathematician and inventor born in Syracuse on the island of Sicily. His birth date is estimated to be 287 B.C. by the fact that John Tzetzes, a twelfth-century Byzantine historian, stated that he died at the age of 75 during the sack of Syracuse in 212 B. C. 1Archimedes was the son of Pheidias, an astronomer known for his investigations into the sizes and distances of the sun and the moon. It was also said by Plutarch that Archimedes was related to Hieron, King of Syracuse.
It is known that Archimedes spent some of his life in Alexandria, the center of scientific activity during his era. It was in Alexandria that Ptolemy I Soter (died 283 B.C.) invited a circle of philosophers and literary men from Greece to study. He founded the "Museum" and "Library" an academy where arts and sciences were cultivated. Scholars from Greece, Babylonia, and Rome gathered to study under the professors of the "Museum"
Among the sciences cultivated in Alexandria were geometry, algebra, trigonometry, astronomy, astrology, geography, surveying, mechanics, and alchemy. The Alexandrians were generally specialists straying away from the old Greek philosophy that "all learning" is province 2.
One of the first of the famous Alexandrian scholars was Euclid with his Elements of Geometry and it is suspected that while Archimedes was in Alexandria he studied with the pupils of Euclid. It is also assumed that while in Alexandria Archimedes became friends with the Conon of Samos and with Eratosthenes. It was to Conon that he sent his discoveries before publication, and after the death of Conon to Dositheus of Pelusium, the friend and pupil of Conon. Through Eratosthenes Archimedes introduced the Cattle Problem to the mathematicians of Alexandria, and it was for Eratosthenes that Archimedes wrote the Method 3.
Upon his return to Syracuse from Egypt, Archimedes devoted his life to the study of mathematics. He felt that his mechanical inventions, which were in fact what provided him with his fame, were “merely the diversions of a geometer at play". In Plutarch's words, "he possessed so high a spirit, so profound a soul, and such treasures of scientific knowledge that , though these inventions had obtained for him the renown of more than human sagacity, he yet would not deign to leave behind him any written work on such subjects, but regarding as ignoble and sordid the business of mechanics and every sort of art which is directed to use and profit." 4Because of this belief, Archimedes wrote only on strictly mathematical subjects, with the exception of one work, On Sphere Making. It is the assertion of Pappus that this work is a description of the construction of a devise composed of concentric glass spheres, moved by water power, representing the apparent motions of the planets, moon, sun, and perhaps the constellations. It was said by Cicero that Marcellus took as booty from the sack of Syracuse an instrument of this type. 5
It seems that it was the devotion to Hieron that induced Archimedes to divert his mathematical studies to his engineering skills. There are many "stories" of Archimedes' achievements in this field that are difficult to substantiate but many indicate that the inventions were created at Hieron's request. A well published story by Vitruvius is that of Hieron's desire to know if all the gold he had given to a goldsmith to create a crown was actually used instead of being substituted with an amount of silver.
The story says that the problem was presented to Archimedes causing considerable puzzlement. While pondering the problem he visited a public bath and noticed that the water in the tub rose in proportion to the amount that he immersed his body into it. This indicated a solution to the problem because Archimedes observed that by noting the difference in overflow when the crown and equal weights of gold or silver were immersed he would be able to distinguish if the crown were of pure gold.
 Build an Archimedes Water Screw in just one night with our easy, step by step plans and instructions.Great Project Invented in Egypt by the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes , the Archimedes Screw , or water screw , as it is commonly known, was used for irrigation and lifting water from mines and ship bilges. The water screw works wonderfully for science and history class assignments and science fair projects.Easy to Build All TrebuchetStore.com plans use common, inexpensive and easy to find building materials, available at your local hardware store or home center. Basic skills and tools are required, but the straightforward designs require no complicated layout or joinery.TrebuchetStore.com plans come complete with: Parts Shopping List Measured Drawings for all parts Assembly Drawings Step by step Assembly Instructions Step by step Operating Instructions All the information you need to complete your project quickly and easily.     Roman Ballista Highland Trebuchet daVinci Catapult daVinci Trebuchet 12.95FreeShipping12.95 Free Shipping 12.95FreeShipping12.95 Free Shipping 12.95FreeShipping12.95 Free Shipping 12.95FreeShipping12.95 Free Shipping Plan # BP1 Plan # TP6 Plan # CP2 Plan # TP5 U.S. Orders Only U.S. Orders Only U.S. Orders Only U.S. Orders Only     Tennis Ball Trebuchet Medieval Trebuchet Golf Ball Trebuchet Stirling Trebuchet 12.95FreeShipping12.95 Free Shipping 12.95FreeShipping12.95 Free Shipping 12.95FreeShipping12.95 Free Shipping 12.95FreeShipping12.95 Free Shipping Plan # TP2 Plan # TP1 Plan # TP3 Plan # TP4 U.S. Orders Only U.S. Orders Only U.S. Orders Only U.S. Orders Only     Roman Onager Roman Mangonel Statistics Catapult Repeating Crossbow 12.95FreeShipping12.95 Free Shipping 12.95FreeShipping12.95 Free Shipping 12.95FreeShipping12.95 Free Shipping 12.95FreeShipping12.95 Free Shipping Plan # OP1 Plan # MP1 Plan # CP1 Plan # RC1 U.S. Orders Only U.S. Orders Only U.S. Orders Only U.S. Orders Only   Archimedes Screw Trebuchet 12.95FreeShipping12.95 Free Shipping 12.95FreeShipping12.95 Free Shipping Plan # WS1 Plan # TP7 U.S. Orders Only U.S. Orders Only Save up to 50% with Multi-Plan Deals 2 Plans 19.95FREEShipping−SaveOver3019.95 FREE Shipping - Save Over 30% U.S. Orders Only Do It Yourself Working Model Trebuchet Kit   Trebuchet Kit Item #TK 19.95FREEShipping−SaveOver3075.00 Free Shipping U.S. Orders Only  The trebuchet kit includes fully precut and drilled frame parts, pins and axles, sling cord and sewn pouch, projectiles and fully illustrated assembly and firing instructions. Unlike the flimsy, snap together plywood trebuchet kits, this all hardwood trebuchet kit does not require additional cutting, trimming or shaping. This DIY Trebuchet Kit requires only white carpenter's glue and a few bar clamps (not included) to assemble. Read More > Fully Assembled Working Model Trebuchet  daVinci Trebuchet Item # T4 $299.00 Free Shipping U.S. Orders Only Inspired by the great war machines and siege catapults of Leonardo da Vinci , this all Red Oakhardwood trebuchet features an open counterweight cabinet for range and trajectory adjustment. Fire with an empty counterweight for indoor use, or add weight (nuts, bolts, scrap lead, iron or steel, sand, or small rocks not included) for increased range.Individually crafted from cabinet-grade red oak, the da Vinci Trebuchet stands 14 inches tall in the cocked position, 24 inches tall in the fired position and will hurl a projectile up to 60 feet. Includes six projectiles and fully illustrated instructions.Read More > |
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