The Encyclopedia of Ancient Natural Scientists: The Greek tradition and its many heirs

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Naburianos (Naburimannu) of Babylo ̄n (ca 50 BCE)


Known to Greeks as a Babylonian mathe ̄matikos (astronomer), together with K and
S (cf. S 16.1.6). Naburianos is assumed to be the Greek version of the
Babylonian name Nabu ̄-rimannu or Nabu ̄-rimanni appearing in the colophon of a Baby-
lonian astronomical cuneiform tablet (ACT #18, lower edge of reverse 1). The tablet is
broken, however, so the reading is uncertain. The colophon designates the tablet as a terse ̄tu
or “computed table” of Nabu ̄-rimannu, giving dates and positions in the ecliptic of new
and full moons for the year 49– 48 BCE and is among the youngest extant cuneiform lunar
ephemerides of System A. Consequently, the report of Naburianos being an inventor of
Babylonian astronomy is unfounded.


ACT p. 23.
Francesca Rochberg


Naukrate ̄s (200 – 180 BCE)


Geometer who encouraged A  P to study conic sections when he visited
Alexandria (Ko ̄nika 1.pr.), and received an uncorrected, unrevised copy of the Ko ̄nika before
setting sail.


RE 16.2 (1935) 1954 (#4), K. Orinksy.
GLIM


Naukratite ̄s medicus (250 BCE – 25 CE)


S L in A P., in G CMLoc 4.7 (12.764 K.), records
a collyrium containing calamine, copper flakes, iron flakes, roasted lead, rose juice, acacia,
gum, myrrh, nard, saffron, and opium, credited to a “Naukratite ̄s medicus.” No medical
writer is known from Naukratis (and only one scientist, S), although two anethnic
Egyptian pharmacists, H and N, compounded collyria, Hermo ̄n’s also
including myrrh, nard, saffron, and opium ( plus M, known for a wound-ointment).
The text may conceal ΝΕΑΠΟΛΙΤΑΝ- (i.e., G  N) or an otherwise unknown
physician “Naukrate ̄s.” S, Gyn. 3.32.7 (CMG 4, p. 115; CUF v. 3, p. 35), and Gale ̄n,
Sanit. 4.5.12, 4.7.18, 6.7.18, 6.10.23–35 (CMG 5.4.2, pp. 117, 125, 182, 188–189), record
a “Diospolitikos” ointment, as if from Diospolis; perhaps likewise the collyrium of the
“Naukratite” physician is simply from Naukratis.


Fabricius (1726) 344.
PTK

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