I magine a man. This man is a mathematician.
A mathematician
with so much passion for his work that when a common soldier
threatened to murder him after conquering his city, he asked
if he could quickly complete the problem he had been diligently
working on. The soldier angrily murdered him for his nonchalant
retort (Plutarch, Translated 1962). While the details of this ancient story are
speculated by all sources, Heather Hasan, an experienced,
historical author, depicts Archimedes of Syracuse, ‘…as one of
the…greatest mathematicians who ever lived’ (Hasan, 2006).
In addition to his mathematical studies, it cannot be
doubted that Archimedes’ work in science and engineering are
among some of the most positively influential advancements the
world has seen (Toomer, 2018). Not only did his discoveries in
mathematics and science undoubtedly affect contemporary
culture, but the application of these theories in his various
inventions were vital to the evolution of humankind (Hasan, 2006). This
is proven by Puiu, a well-informed author with a Bachelor of
Mechanical Engineering, who states that Archimedes
was, ‘A true polymath…’ and that, ‘…many of his
inventions and discoveries from over 2,000 years
ago are still in use today’ (Puiu, 2018).
Forthcoming mathematicians, Famous statue of
Archimedes, situated
scientists and inventors also
at his birthplace
improved upon his (Syracuse, Sicily).
findings to have a it.wikipedia.org
significant impact on
shaping history (Pickover,
2008).
Due to
the historical figure’s
prodigious influence
on contemporary society,
multiple primary sources have
proved to contain a considerable
bias for Archimedes. This is obvious
through the exaggeration of the stories in
which Archimedes discovered his findings.
Additionally, although the majority of the
secondary writers are experts in their
various fields, they were also susceptible to a
bias for the ancient character and his
colleagues, most likely due to their
overwhelming passion for these subjects. In
constructing their books, websites and articles,
these authors were also given the gift of
hindsight, which presents that, with a
contemporary perspective, they could easily
discuss the influence of Archimedes on the
modern world. According to Groleau, ‘Most of
what we know about Archimedes today comes
from his writings (Archimedes Palimpsest)…’,
while some basic chronological details of his life are
also acknowledged by primary authors which are
translated by modern historians (Groleau, 2003).
Archimedes was born in 287 B.C.E before
being infamously murdered in 212 B.C.E in the
aftermath of the ‘Siege of Syracuse’ during the
second Punic War (known by Romans as the
Hannibalic War) (Toomer, 2018). His passion to become a
mathematician and scientist initially grew through his father,
Phidias (or Pheidias), who was a successful astronomer (Hasan, 2006).
As the Greeks were renowned for their desire to acquire
3 National Geographic - June 2018
knowledge, Archimedes completed preliminary studies at a young
age with Hasan deducing that, in a ‘majority rules’ statement,
‘Many historians agree that Archimedes belonged to the nobility
of Syracuse’ (Hasan, 2006). While this is a reasonably marginalised view,
some secondary writers believed he had a strong relationship with
the ‘soon-to-be’ King Hiero II, Beckmann even labelling them as
‘cousins’.
He furthered his studies at the famous Library and
Museum of Alexandria in Egypt which acted as a university at the
time (Hasan, 2006). Archimedes encountered countless colleagues
(known as the Alexandrian Scholars), with whom he would
exchange various mathematical findings including Conon,
Archimedes most intrusted friend, Dositheus, one of Conan’s
pupils, and Eratosthenes, the eventual director of the world-
renowned library (Hasan, 2006).
Known by many ancient historians as the ‘Father of
Mathematics’, Archimedes’ contribution to this field is obvious to
current scholars. One such example is his polygonal method, used
to determine the most eminent numerical value in history, pi (π),
which was displayed in his treatise, Measurement of a Circle
(Archimedes, Translated 1897). Relating the ratio of the circumference of a
C (modern Egyptian peasants) for minor
circle to the diameter (or π = ), pi had been in continual
D
development for over 1900 years before Archimedes, namely
through the Babylonian and Egyptian civilisations (Beckmann, 1971).
However, Archimedes contradicted these
attempts, utilising a method to find pi which entailed
circumscribing polygons inside a circle to find the
amount of sides of the shape in relation to the
diameter (Beckmann, 1971). The ancient mathematician
would gradually increase the amount of sides until the
polygon was almost completely
touching the circle and, thus,
providing modern geometers
“Archimedes will be remembered when discovered when the crown’s
with the most accurate value of Aeschylus
the ratio (Beckmann, 1971). Due to language dies, and mathematical ideas
completely remodelling the do not. “Immortality may be a silly word
system for finding pi, Archimedes but probably a mathematician has the
is often confused by historians as best chance of whatever it may mean.”
being the creator of the value
because he established a more
– G.H Hardy
desired amount of accuracy
(Beckmann, 1971).
Noticeably, famous mathematicians like
Leonard Euler, Leonardo of Pisa (Fibonacci) and Sir
Isaac Newton made minor advancements with pi but
Archimedes’ simplified value (22/7) is the most
commonly used in the 21st century (Beckmann, 1971) (Pickover,
2008). Perhaps Archimedes’ most imperative
application of pi is through discovering the sphere
and cylinder volume formulas which are frequently
utilised today (Archimedes, Translated 1897). Displayed in his
treatise On the Sphere and Cylinder (Book 1), the
various uses for these formulas today are
endless, ranging from measuring the
contents of different items like water tanks
to mass-producing spherical sports
equipment (Toomer, 2018). Clearly, Archimedes
influence on the modern world is profound.
In his celebrated history, the most romanticised and
documented discovery by primary historians would be
Archimedes’ laws of buoyancy (Puiu, 2018). The ancient scientist
supposedly got undressed and slipped into a bath in the public
manually turned for the contraption to
be functional (Fagan, 2004). Sources vary on
Archimedes’ intended use, with
different historians deciding that it was
either to irrigate crops, pump water
out of mines, moderate the effects of
flash flooding from the Nile or remove
water from sinking ships (Fagan, 2004)
(Beckmann, 1971) (Toomer, 2018). While all are
plausible theories, secondary
historians will only speculate on
Archimedes’ purpose for the invention
as no primary sources revealed the
man’s true intentions for the device.
Nevertheless, while the Archimedes’
Screw is considered unfit for industrial
purposes nowadays, it is still used in
various locations around the world (Puiu,
2018). For example, the original designs
are used by Arab countries, some
developing nations and fellahin
A 3.66 metre Archimedes’ Screw in Mexico City, USA, used to control used to control
rainwater runoff. irrigation (Fagan, 2004). Additionally Mexico
www.zmescience.com City in the USA have a 12ft (3.66 m)
version powered by a diesel engine to
washing areas. He noticed the water level rise and discovered the control rainstorm runoff, pumping up to 473 kilolitres per minute
laws of buoyancy, running naked down the street exclaiming, (Puiu, 2018). Modern farmers also reinvented it to manoeuvre
“Eureka!” (English translation: ‘I have found it’) (Puiu, 2018). Using materials such as grain, sand and ashes which proves Archimedes’
these findings, Archimedes assisted King Hiero II in his attempt to influence on all aspects of contemporary life as even
verify the gold in a crown made by an untrustworthy blacksmith. agriculturalists have prospered from the ancient scholar’s work
By placing the ornament in a (Puiu, 2018). In addition, Archimedes’ designs have also been
body of water, his ruse was repurposed as a screw propeller for steamships, with the first
vessel using it, named the SS Archimedes, being built in 1829 by
is forgotten, because mass could be calculated by the British (Hasan, 2006). This undoubtedly highlights the extent of
measuring the rise in the water Archimedes influence on current culture.
level in comparison to an While in Alexandria, Archimedes also learnt from the
authentic gold piece of the same Ancient Egyptian’s more practical use of science and mathematics
volume (Hasan, 2006). (Hasan, 2006). He learnt from the Egyptians that all intellectual
Moreover, laws of discoveries must have a practical use to be considered of any
buoyancy have been continually value which opposed his pre-existing, Greek beliefs that
used since Archimedes made the comprehending all knowledge was worthwhile (Hasan, 2006). This
discovery. Such manifestations of was also speculated to have been the initial signs of Archimedes
these findings include creating ships with more efficient weight utilising geometrical findings in his various inventions, noted by
distribution, a hydrometer which is used to measure density of Puiu as the first to do it (Beckmann, 1971) (Puiu, 2018). Consequently, this
liquids and even inventions like air-balloons, using the law that if combination of engineering and mathematics has been vital for
a solid was lighter than the ‘body of water’, then the object would forthcoming inventors. In particular, Heron and Vitruvius were
float (Groleau, 2003). This unquestionably proves that Archimedes’ collectively renowned for the inventions of the aeolipile (a
scientific studies have had a positive influence on inventors of machine moved with steam), the dioptra (a celestial measuring
future generations. device) and the syringe (initially used to transfer water between
In a considerable bias for
Archimedes, Puiu describes
Archimedes as the, ‘…embodiment of
a man ahead of his time,’ due to the
innovative and revolutionary nature
of his inventions (Puiu, 2018). One such
example is the Archimedes’ Screw
which he invented while in
Alexandria, used to raise water from
lower ground (Fagan, 2004). The device
encompasses a helix, a screw-shaped
Archimedes’ ‘burning mirror’ (left) and ‘iron claw’ (right) are two of his more suspicious war inventions due
object, encased in a cylindrical pipe,
to no distinct evidence of their existence.
the original invention required to be
en.wikepedia.org
Influencing the ‘Circle’ of Life 4
 reservoirs) (Shuttleworth, 2011). These creations all manipulated that there would be a centre of gravity at the midpoint of the two
geometrical or physics findings in their designs (Shuttleworth, 2011). As a ‘weights’ (Archimedes, Translated 1897). He also continues that, ‘Unequal
result, this proves that not only did Archimedes’ inventions and weight will balance at unequal distance, the greater the weight
theoretical discoveries directly affect contemporary people, but being at the lesser distance’ (Archimedes, Translated 1897). This section of the
‘post-Archimedes’ scholars also evolved his work to eventually Archimedes’ Palimpsest was the earliest known mention of the
influence modern times as well. properties of the lever, leading to a majority of historians
One example of Archimedes combining mathematics believing that Archimedes actually invented this multipurpose
and engineering was during preparation for the war against contraption (Heath, 1897). Typically used to lift or manoeuvre heavy
Marcus Claudius Marcellus in the second Punic War (Plutarch, Translated objects with minimal effort, Archimedes’ documentation of this
1962). In terms of Archimedes’ war inventions, secondary authors invention has allowed it to become an extremely versatile
have proven to be very critical and suspicious of Plutarch and Livy contraption in modern times (Heath, 1897). Used in a variety of
and Pappus’ description of the inventor’s creations. Some prime everyday items like kitchen utensils, wheelbarrows, scissors,
examples include the ‘burning mirror’, a collection of mirrors that hammers, brakes on a bicycle, car jacks, seesaws and staplers
supposedly set warships on fire by reflecting light from the sun, which are taken for granted, it reinforces the positive influence
and the ‘iron claw’, designed to grapple enemy that Archimedes has had more than 23
war ships, lift them into the air and capsize centuries into the future (Puiu, 2018).
them (Puiu, 2018). One invention, an early form of
It can not be doubted that Archimedes was quoted to
a catapult, is a verified, geometrical success, Archimedes is one of the have once exclaimed, “Give me a place to
and has a decorated history in warfare (Hasan, most influential ancient stand, and I can move the Earth.” Although
2006). Despite not having much of an influence multiple different translations of this
on modern warfare due to the sudden uprising
figures to have existed. famous line exist, not only is Archimedes
of the technological age, the catapult was referring to the effectiveness of his lever,
noticeably prominent during the Middle Ages (Hasan, 2006). The but he is also boasting the quality of his compound pulley (Puiu, 2018).
weapon had a substantial influence on the outcomes of the wars The simple yet effective invention was initially built upon a
at that time and, consequently, influenced the history that request from King Hiero II to create a piece of machinery that
modern scholars appreciate today. could dock what was considered by historians as the largest ship
In addition, his treatise, On the Equilibrium of Planes of ancient times, the Syracusia (Hasan, 2006). To the leader’s
or the Centres of Gravity of Planes found that, in Archimedes’ amazement, Archimedes hauled the ship designed by the inventor
words, ‘Equal weights at equal distances are in equilibrium,’ and using his laws of buoyancy, to shore with his powerful
5 www.shutterstock.com
contraption, even asking the king to fill the Syracusia with notation, approximating square roots and indefinite calculus, as
passengers and cargo to highlight the power of his invention (Hasan, well as advances in astronomy, like calculating Earth’s distances
2006). Subsequently, the pulley’s modern influence has been from heavenly bodies (Beckmann, 1971) (O’Connor, Robertson, 1999). Some of his
extraordinary, used every day for contraptions like elevators, other well-known inventions include the odometer, seen in every
construction cranes, theatre curtains and even used in the day-to- contemporary motor vehicle and even a game called Stomachion,
day life of a mechanic. which is very similar to the well-known arcade game, Tetris (Puiu, 2018)
Despite the extensive list of (Hasan, 2006). Additionally, he also created
Archimedes’ achievements, the arrogance of mathematical terms like rhombus, sector,
his personality is corroborated by a majority of “If I have seen further, it prism, pyramid, parabola and cylinder, which
sources in spite of their bias for him. This is is by standing upon the are regularly used in modern mathematicians’
highlighted in his own treatise when he writes
shoulder of giants” – Sir daily language (Heath, 1897).
that Eudoxus’ work in the same field, ‘…had not According to Toomer, without
been observed by anyone,’ and that anyone of Isaac Newton Archimedes, ‘…the development of
‘requisite ability’ should, ‘examine these mathematics…is inconceivable,’ and, thus,
discoveries of mine’ (Archimedes, Translated 1897). justifies his title as the ‘Father of
Additionally, Toomer neutrally states that Archimedes also left, Mathematics’ (Toomer, 2018). In addition, his contribution to science
‘instructions for his tomb to be marked with a sphere inscribed in and engineering is undeniable, reflected by a famous quote from
a cylinder,’ which was discovered by Marcus Tullis Cicero Sir Isaac Newton, ‘If I have seen further, it is by standing upon the
(between 104 and 63 B.C.E) (Toomer, 2018) According to Hasan, the shoulder of giants’
ancient figure also did not believe his inventions were of any value (Pickover, 2008). The extent of Archimedes of Syracuse’s modern impact
in comparison to his theoretical findings (Hasan, 2006). As a result, he is vast and indubitable, despite the fact that a large amount of his
burned all of his architectural designs (Hasan, 2006). work has been lost over time. Potentially, this may mean that the
Nonetheless, it can not be doubted that Archimedes full extent of Archimedes’ remarkable mind is yet to be uncovered
is one of the most influential ancient figures to have existed. In (Toomer, 2018).
addition to some of his major discoveries and inventions, he also
made other minor theoretical
discoveries. These include
mathematical findings for early
forms of trigonometry, index
Like the Syracusia, this ship (above) uses Archimedes Laws of
Buoyancy and, identical the SS Archimedes, repurposes the helix
from the Archimedes’ Screw as a propeller.