The Works of Archimedes: Translation and Commentary

Description

This is the second volume of the first fully-fledged English translation of the works of Archimedes - antiquity's greatest scientist and one of the most important scientific figures in history. It covers On Spirals and is based on a reconsideration of the Greek text and diagrams, now made possible through new discoveries from the Archimedes Palimpsest. On Spirals is one of Archimedes' most dazzling geometrical tours de force, suggesting a manner of 'squaring the circle' and, along the way, introducing the attractive geometrical object of the spiral. The form of argument, no less than the results themselves, is striking, and Reviel Netz contributes extensive and insightful comments that focus on Archimedes' scientific style, making this volume indispensable for scholars of classics and the history of science, and of great interest for the scientists and mathematicians of today. Contents......Page 7 List of Abbreviations of Archimedes’ Works......Page 9 List of Abbreviations of Cited Manuscripts and pre-Heiberg Editions......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 11 Introduction......Page 14 Translation and Commentary......Page 28 On Spirals......Page 30 Appendix 1 Pappus’ Collection IV.21–25......Page 194 Appendix 2 Scholia to On Spirals......Page 200 Glossary......Page 207 Bibliography......Page 212 Index......Page 214