| Pappus Alexandrinus Mathematical Collection, Book 8 1970, tr. D. Jackson | ||||||
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It is clear that this sort of science has something in common with the science of sundials. Also included in mechanics are those spheres that are constructed to resemble the heavens, which are made to move in a regular and circular motion as would be their motion in water.
Section 3
According to some, the man who knew the causes of all these things and the rules governing them was Archimedes the Syracusan. For he alone of those in this world of ours had so diverse a nature as to apply himself to all things, and he was prolific in ideas as was mentioned by Geminus the mathematician in the book which he wrote "On the arrangement of mathematics." Carpos of Antioch has claimed somewhere in his writings that Archimedes the Syracusan only wrote one book on mechanics this being his work on the construction of spheres, and he did not think that he need write anything on any branch other than this. However the ancients honoured him with respect to the science of mechanics, and they held his nature to be so remarkable that he continues to have great fame and praise among all people. As for points dominated by geometrical and arithmetical ideas, he took great pains in writing down even the meanest of these. For it appears to us as though he had such an affection for these sciences which we have mentioned, that he was not able to mix anything else with them.