Theodosius of Bithynia

Theodosius of Bithynia

Theodosius of Bithynia (ca. 160 BC–ca. 100 BC) was a Greek astronomer and mathematician who wrote the "Sphaerics", a book on the geometry of the sphere. Born in Tripolis, in Bithynia, Theodosius is cited by Vitruvius as having invented a sundial suitable for any place on Earth. His "Sphaerics" provided the mathematics for spherical astronomy, and may have been based on a work by Eudoxus of Cnidus. Francesco Maurolico translated his works in the 16th century. In addition to the "Sphaerics", two other works by Theodosius have survived: "On Habitations", describing the appearances of the heavens at different climes, and "On Days and Nights", a study of the apparent motion of the Sun.

References

*Ivor Bulmer-Thomas, "Theodosius of Bithynia," "Dictionary of Scientific Biography" 13:319-320.


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