ARCHIMEDES

Mathematical and physical Archimedes of Syracuse (287 + 212 BC)

Biography:

One of the greatest geniuses of humanity that the centuries will not obey, for the discoveries of scientific laws, which are always studied in high schools and, which still apply in the machines that are built.

Mathematician and supreme physicist of antiquity.

He is responsible for many inventions, including that of the perpetual vine, the movable pulley, the toothed wheels and the discovery of the principle that bears his name, (Principle of Archimedes (Idrostatica), - A body immersed in a liquid receives a boost from the bottom to the height, by weight, to the volume of the displaced liquid, that is, it loses its weight as much as the weight of the moving liquid) for which it is said that when it discovered the physical law, being in the bathroom, invaded from joy, he came out of the water and naked as he was, he went shouting through the streets: Eùreca! Eureca! which means: I found it! I found!

He was the author of many works, including: Principle of mechanics; Quadrature of the parabola; Of the sphere and the cylinder; Conoids and spheroids; Of the spirals; Circle size; Sandreckoner; On the method; On the floats; etc. To King Gerone he would have said the famous phrase: "Give me a foothold and I will raise the world." During the siege by the Consul Marcello in Syracuse, during the Second Punic War; Archimedes validly contributed to the defense of the city by building catapults and ballistas to throw rocks and darts, powerful hooks of iron to grab and sink enemy ships, and burning mirrors to burn them, that is, concave mirrors to concentrate the sun's rays, and burn the ships at a distance, then wood.

Its reputation was so great that the Romans, invading the city, had had orders to respect the life of the illustrious citizen. However, unfortunately, a soldier, who entered his house, found him on certain geometrical figures he had drawn.

Ask him repeatedly if he were Archimedes, these, intent as he was in the study, did not answer him, and killed him. When the Romans realized the fatal error, they paid tribute to the immortal siracusano solemn and gave him superb burial.

ARCHIMEDES

BED AND BREAKFAST BAOBAB, Piazza Armerina