Archimedes is known for being one of the greatest mathematicians, inventors, and scientists of ancient Greece. His key contributions include:
- Archimedes' Principle of Buoyancy : He discovered the principle that a body submerged in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. This discovery reportedly happened while he was in a bath, leading to his famous exclamation "Eureka!"
- Archimedes' Screw : An invention designed to raise water for irrigation and sewage treatment, which is still in use today
- Mathematical Achievements : He developed methods anticipating integral calculus, including the method of exhaustion to rigorously calculate areas and volumes; he approximated the value of pi; devised a system for expressing very large numbers; and proved that the volume of a sphere is two-thirds that of its circumscribing cylinder, a proof he considered his greatest accomplishment
- Mechanics and Engineering : Archimedes formulated the law of the lever and concepts of center of gravity. He also designed innovative machines such as compound pulleys, catapults, and war defenses to protect Syracuse, including cranes and possibly a system of mirrors to focus sunlight on enemy ships
- Astronomy : He made measurements related to the apparent diameter of the Sun and the size of the universe and is credited with building a planetarium-like device demonstrating celestial movements
Archimedes' legacy spans mathematics, physics, engineering, and astronomy, marking him as a foundational figure in classical science and technology
