Archytas
ancientPythagoreanism-428 – -347
Archytas of Tarentum was a Pythagorean philosopher, mathematician, statesman, and general active in the 4th century BCE. A friend of Plato, he made foundational contributions to mathematics, mechanics, and music theory, and is often credited as the founder of mathematical mechanics.
Notable Achievements
1
Solved the problem of doubling the cube using a three-dimensional geometric construction
2
Founded mathematical mechanics as a distinct discipline
3
Developed early work in music theory, identifying the arithmetic, geometric, and harmonic means
4
Reportedly designed one of the earliest self-propelled flying devices (a wooden dove)
5
Served seven consecutive terms as strategos of Tarentum