Archimedes

~287–212 BCE · Greek (Syracuse, Sicily) · Hellenistic Period

Known for: Greatest mathematician of antiquity who discovered buoyancy, the lever, and pi approximation

Archimedes was the most brilliant mind of the ancient world—a mathematician, physicist, engineer, and inventor who was so obsessed with geometry he forgot to eat. He discovered the principle of buoyancy while taking a bath, allegedly leaping out naked and running through Syracuse screaming 'Eureka!' His war machines held off the entire Roman siege of Syracuse for two years, including giant claw mechanisms that lifted ships from the water.

He calculated pi with unprecedented accuracy, proved the laws of the lever, and invented the Archimedean screw for pumping water. He was killed by a Roman soldier during the fall of Syracuse, reportedly saying 'Do not disturb my circles' as he worked on a geometry problem. The soldier had orders to spare him but apparently didn't appreciate being told to wait.

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