Archimedes Background/Upbringing - Paper
Archimedes Background/Upbringing Archimedes was one of the most known and respected mathematicians of ancient Greece. He was born between the years of 290 and 280 BCE in Syracuse, Sicily which is currently known as Italy. His death took place in Syracuse, Sicily between the years of 212 and 211 BCE. In autumn of 212 or the spring of 211 Syracuse was taken over by Roman General Marcus Claudius Marcellus (Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d). It was during the cities take over that Archimedes was killed. There is rumors about what lead up to a Roman solider killing him. Some historians believe his death was due to Archimedes not willing to give up his mathematical diagrams of mirrors that would burn the Roman ships. The exact years of his birth and death are uncertain, but Greek historian John Tzetes believes he lived to be 75 years old (“Archimedes”, n.d). Archimedes father was named Phidias who was an astronomer. His mother’s name is unknown, but there is belief that Archimedes is related to the Ruler of Syracuse King Hiero II. There are currently not many documents of Archimedes upbringing. In fact there is only one record of his life that was written by his friend Heracleides. Unfortunately this biography was lost.
Education
Archimedes was not only a mathematician but also a physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer (“Archimedes”, n.d). Archimedes thought of himself as first a mathematician and secondly an inventor, his other qualities where simply additional characteristics. He received his knowledge by spending most of his life studying in Syracuse but did spend some time in Alexandria and Egypt possibly with another ancient mathematician known as Euclid. Besides Euclid, Archimedes partnered with other mathematicians of his time. These mathematicians are Conon of Samos and Eratosthenes of Cyrene. Along with studying with these individuals, Archimedes published some of his works in correspondence with them. These published essays include The method of
Education
Archimedes was not only a mathematician but also a physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer (“Archimedes”, n.d). Archimedes thought of himself as first a mathematician and secondly an inventor, his other qualities where simply additional characteristics. He received his knowledge by spending most of his life studying in Syracuse but did spend some time in Alexandria and Egypt possibly with another ancient mathematician known as Euclid. Besides Euclid, Archimedes partnered with other mathematicians of his time. These mathematicians are Conon of Samos and Eratosthenes of Cyrene. Along with studying with these individuals, Archimedes published some of his works in correspondence with them. These published essays include The method of
References: Lewinter, M., & Widulski, W. (2002)/ The sage of mathematics: A brief history. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall/Pearson Archimedes. (n.d). Retrieved from http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/archimedes Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d). Archimedes. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/archimedes/His/Influence PI. (n.d). Retrieved from http://ualr.edu/lasmoller/pi.html Archimede’s Principle. (n.d). Retrieved from http://library .thinkquest.org War Machines. (n.d). Retrieved from http: www.experiment-resources.com Archimedes Screw. (n.d). Retrieved from: www.experiment-resources.com