The Works of Archimedes: Translation and Commentary

The Works of Archimedes: Translation and Commentary presents a new English translation of the surviving works of the Greek mathematician and inventor Archimedes. The text includes both the original Greek and English versions, accompanied by detailed mathematical and historical commentary by scholar Reviel Netz. This multi-volume project covers Archimedes' major mathematical treatises, including On the Sphere and Cylinder, Measurement of the Circle, and On Floating Bodies. The commentary examines the mathematical concepts, proofs, and methods used by Archimedes, while providing context about the historical period and the development of mathematical thinking. Through analysis of manuscripts, diagrams, and historical records, Netz reconstructs Archimedes' problem-solving approaches and theoretical frameworks. The work includes examination of recently discovered texts like the Archimedes Palimpsest, which have expanded modern understanding of his contributions. This translation and commentary offers insights into both the technical achievements of Archimedes and the broader intellectual culture of Hellenistic mathematics. The work demonstrates how ancient Greek mathematical practices continue to influence modern mathematical and scientific thinking.

The academic community values this as a reference text for understanding Archimedes' mathematical work. Readers appreciate Netz's detailed commentary and historical context that helps decode Archimedes' complex proofs. Readers liked: - Side-by-side Greek and English translations - Thorough explanations of mathematical concepts - Historical and cultural context - High-quality reproductions of diagrams Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style makes it challenging for non-specialists - High price point ($165+) - Some find the commentary too granular - Multiple volumes required for complete works Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (6 ratings) One mathematician reviewer noted: "Netz reconstructs Archimedes' thought process with remarkable precision." A classics student criticized: "The technical language makes this inaccessible to anyone without advanced math background." Book is part of ongoing series - Volume 1 (2004), Volume 2 (2010), Volume 3 (2017).

The Elements by Euclid This foundational text presents mathematical proofs and geometric principles with the same systematic rigor found in Archimedes' works.

Mathematical Thought from Ancient to Modern Times by Morris Kline The text traces mathematical developments from antiquity through modern times, including detailed analysis of Archimedes' contributions and methods.

The History of Mathematics: An Introduction by Victor J. Katz This comprehensive work examines ancient mathematical manuscripts and their historical context, with particular focus on Greek mathematical traditions.

The Genius of Archimedes -- 23 Centuries of Influence on Mathematics, Science and Engineering by Stephanos A. Paipetis and Marco Ceccarelli The book analyzes Archimedes' mathematical methods and mechanical principles through historical documents and contemporary interpretations.

Lost in Mathematics: Ancient Greek Texts and Medieval Arabic Translations by Richard Lorch The work examines the transmission and translation of Greek mathematical texts through medieval Arabic scholars, including key works of Archimedes.

📚 The manuscript containing Archimedes' works was discovered as a palimpsest - a text written over an older, erased text. It was found in 1906 in Constantinople, having been overwritten with Christian prayers in the 13th century. 🔍 Reviel Netz spent over a decade working on this translation, using advanced imaging techniques including multispectral imaging to reveal Archimedes' original writings beneath the later religious text. ⚜️ The book contains the only known copy of Archimedes' "Method of Mechanical Theorems," which reveals how he actually discovered his mathematical results before proving them formally. 📐 This translation shows that Archimedes used infinitesimals - a concept usually credited to 17th-century mathematicians - nearly 2000 years before Newton and Leibniz developed calculus. 🗣️ Netz's translation is unique because it attempts to preserve the original mathematical thought process in Greek, rather than converting it to modern mathematical notation, giving readers insight into how ancient mathematicians actually thought.