the Greater Nomadic Council

Brief Archimedean Thoughts

Laudator temporis acti posts two passages about Archimedes, one of the greatest mathematicians ever to live. He is a fascinating character in the pantheon of math geniuses. Had he lived longer, it's not too unreasonable to suspect he might have discovered calculus a couple of thousand years early. The quotes also point out one of the biggest problems with the Greeks: their belief that only the life of the mind is dignified. If they had felt differently, perhaps they might have been technologically advanced enough to repel and overcome the Romans.