Nikome ̄de ̄s IV of Bithunia (100 – 74 BCE)
A, in G CMGen 6.14 (13.929 K.), records that some king Nikome ̄de ̄s,
under the syncopated nickname “Kodamos,” published a plaster (ammo ̄niakon incense,
red natron, propolis, and oak mistletoe, in beeswax, lye, and resin). Presumably the same
Nikome ̄de ̄s is the author of the head-compress recorded by A P., in
Gale ̄n CMLoc 2.1 (12.556 K.), containing sulfurwort (hog-fennel), rue, mint, and other
herbs in rose oil. Probably we should read Nikome ̄de ̄s for the “Nikode ̄mos” in S
L in Askle ̄piade ̄s Pharm. in Gale ̄n CMLoc 9.7 (13.314 K.), author of a mineral-based
hedrike ̄ in myrtle oil, good wine, and butter. The last-cited practiced in Rome, suggesting
either Nikome ̄de ̄s II (who was in Rome 167 BCE: P Book 32, fr.16.4, Livy
45.44.4–18), or better Nikome ̄de ̄s IV, who dwelt in Rome in the 80’s BCE (S
12.3.40). That would explain the presence of such northerly ingredients as oak mistletoe,
butter, and sulfurwort.
BNP 9 (2006) 736–737 (#6), M. Schottky.
PTK
Niko ̄n of Akragas (80 – 40 BCE)
Physician, Sextus Fadius’ mentor, wrote On Overeating: C, ad Fam. 7.20.3, calling him
“pleasant” (O medicum suauem). C describes his emollients for scrofulous tumors
(5.18.14) and for relaxing, cleaning, and opening pores (5.18.26). He is probably the same
Niko ̄n whom P H includes among A’ students (S
B, s.v. Durrakhion) and possibly the one claiming the best rennet comes from
young deer, then hares, then goats (Schol. Nik. The ̄r. 577a).
RE 17.1 (1936) 506–507 (#17), H. Diller.
GLIM
Niko ̄n of Pergamon, Aelius (120 – 150 CE)
Architect and geometer, father of G (Souda Gamma-32), who does not name his father
but thanks him for his grounding in mathematics and logic (2.116.22–26, 119.2– 9
MMH). Gale ̄n’s father is probably the Aelius Niko ̄n who erected isopsephic inscriptions
at Pergamon (IGRR 4, #502–506; Schlange-Schöningen). Using π =^22 / 7 , Niko ̄n com-
pares the volumes of a cone, cylinder, and sphere, all with a common given radius (that
radius equal also to the height of the cylinder and cone), and compares the surface areas of
a cube (superposed over a cone), of a cylinder, and of a sphere, likewise with a common
radius, yielding a proportion of 42 : 33 : 22 (#503).
H. Schlange-Schöningen, Die römische Gesellschaft bei Galen: Biographie und Sozialgeschichte (2003) 45–54;
DPA 4 (2005) 696–698, V. Boudon-Millot; BNP 9 (2006) 740 (#4), M. Folkerts.
GLIM
Niko ̄nide ̄s of Thessalia (75 – 70 BCE)
An engineer of M VI, Niko ̄nide ̄s designed siege engines used at the siege of
Kuzikos (P, Luc. 10; Appian, Mithr. 73–75): rams, towers, and a novel and amazing
boarding bridge extended from a ship-mounted tower.
BNP 9 (2006) 740, W.H. Groß.
GLIM
NIKO ̄NIDE ̄S OF THESSALIA