Diodorus of Alexandria explained

Diodorus of Alexandria or Diodorus Alexandrinus was a gnomonicist, astronomer ^[1] and a pupil of Posidonius.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Writings

He wrote the first discourse on the principles of the sundial, known as Analemma.^[5] a commentary on this having later been written by Pappus of Alexandria,^[6] that is no longer extant.^[7] A small number of sentences having survived the centuries and attributed to him are known; these comment on: the differences between astronomy and natural science, the word meanings for cosmos and star, the nature of stars and the Milky Way. He was known to Eudoros. A few surviving passages might come from a commentary on Aratus. In his dealings with astronomy he was known to Marinus in his commentary on Euclid's Data containing quotes of Diodorus's opinions on the meaning of a term.^[8]

See also

• Alexandria
• Analemma
• Euclid
• History of sundials

Notes and References

1. Diodorus of Alexandria." Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 4 Dec. 2011 . [Retrieved 2011-09-15]
2. [Aristarchus of Samos]
3. John Antonakos amazon.com website page 92 of Noted Greeks of Antiquity [Retrieved 2011-09-15]
4. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/gnomonics thefreedictionary.com
5. http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2830905627.html encyclopedia.com
6. Book: Thomas Heath. A History of Greek Mathematics: From Aristarchus to Diophantus. 1981. Courier Corporation. 978-0-486-24074-9. 287.
7. Book: Heike Sefrin-Weis. Pappus of Alexandria: Book 4 of the Collection: Edited With Translation and Commentary by Heike Sefrin-Weis. 2010. Springer Science & Business Media. 978-1-84996-005-2. 15.
8. Book: Otto E. Neugebauer

   . O. Neugebauer. Otto E. Neugebauer. A History of Ancient Mathematical Astronomy. 2. 2004. Springer Science & Business Media. 978-3-540-06995-9. 840.