Archimedes was born c.287 B.C. in Syracuse Sicily. He was an ancient Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer inventor and astronomer.
Little is known of his early life and it is not known whether he married or had children. His father's name was Phidias and was an astronomer, little is known of him and his life.
An amusing anecdote about Archimedes tells of how he invented a method for determining the volume of an object with an irregular shape.
A votive crown for King Hiero, who had supplied the pure gold to be used and Archimedes was asked to determine whether some silver had been substituted by the dishonest goldsmith. Archimedes had to solve the problem without damaging the crown so he could not melt it down into a regular shaped body in order to calculate it's density.
Whilst taking a bath he noticed that the level of the water rose when he got in, and realised that this effect could be used to determine the volume of the crown. His theory was proved that the density was lower and cheaper that less dense metals had been added.
He was so excited that he jumped out of the bath and forgetting to get dressed he ran through the streets naked crying 'Eureka'- Greek meaning, " I have found it".
Amongst many of his theories and inventions he invented the hydraulic screw.
This was used to pump bilge (water) out of the hull of a ship that he designed called the Syracusia.
This ship could carry six hundred passengers along with a large cargo.
The hydraulic screw has many uses particularly in irrigation by transporting water along channels.
137 years after Archimedes death the Roman Orator Cicero embarked upon a search for Archimedes tomb. It was eventually discovered near the Agrigentine Gate in Syracuse
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| Cicero discovering the tomb. |
There is so much more to write about this remarkable man, and as I've long had a deep admiration of his works, I hope to write more as we proceed with ABCW ROUND 16.
My favourite yarn is his 'Eureka' moment. This is something I learned in primary school during science lessons. I can remember sniggering, with the rest of my class mates, at the thought of a wrinkly old man running through the streets stark naked !
EUREKA ! indeed.
My thanks to the AMAZING Denise for devising ABCW and the much ADMIRED Roger for keeping us all together, in our quest to write about whatever captures our imagination.
