Isidore of Miletus

Lore & Background

Isidore of Miletus was a renowned scientist and mathematician before Emperor Justinian I hired him. He taught stereometry and physics at the universities of Alexandria and Constantinople, and wrote a commentary on an older treatise on vaulting. Together with Eutocius, he studied Archimedes' work, and he is credited with producing the first comprehensive compilation of Archimedes' work, the Archimedes palimpsest, which survived to the present. A majority of his preserved work consists of edits and commentaries on older Greek mathematical texts, including revisions of some of Archimedes' works and Book XV of Euclid's Elements. Claims from Alan Cameron have been made about a hypothetical 'School of Isidore,' supported more by the presence of his teachings in his students' works than his own writings. Isidore did not publish much of his own work; he taught, and once he understood the material, did not see a need to write it down. Cameron claims that Isidore helped to revitalize interest in ancient mathematicians in Constantinople and Alexandria circa 510.

Reader's Guide

Isidore of Miletus holds significance as a pivotal figure in the transmission of ancient Greek mathematics and as a key architect of one of the most enduring buildings in history. His compilation of Archimedes' works ensured the survival of crucial mathematical texts, while his architectural work on the Hagia Sophia demonstrated the application of scientific principles to large-scale construction. Although not formally educated in architecture, he and Anthemius of Tralles organized the logistics of drawing thousands of laborers and rare materials from across the Roman Empire to build the church mainly out of stone to prevent fire. Isidore's invention of a special compass for drawing parabolas, noted by Eutocius, advanced geometric accuracy and was used to solve the problem of doubling the volume of a cube. His commentary on Hero of Alexandria's 'On Vaulting' linked geometry to practical vault construction, influencing the design of the Hagia Sophia's domes. The legacy of his work continued through his nephew, Isidore the Younger, who redesigned the dome after an earthquake. Isidore's role in editing and teaching helped revitalize interest in ancient mathematicians in Constantinople and Alexandria, shaping the intellectual landscape of his era.

Did You Know?

• Isidore of Miletus produced the first comprehensive compilation of Archimedes' work, known as the Archimedes palimpsest.
• He invented a special compass for drawing parabolas, which was used to solve the problem of doubling the volume of a cube.
• Isidore taught stereometry and physics at the universities of Alexandria and Constantinople.
• The spurious Book XV from Euclid's Elements has been partly attributed to Isidore of Miletus.