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

(Ron) #1

Some evidence exists that Simplicius wrote a commentary on a Hippocratic work, found
in the Fihrist (work not specified) and in Abu Bakr al-Razi, al-Hawi (v. 13, p. 159.9) who
gives Simplicius as commentator on the On Fractures (Peri agmo ̄n), in Arabic “Kita ̄b al-Kasr”
or “Kita ̄b al-Jabr” (“On Setting [Bones]”).


Ed.: CAG 7 (1894), 8 (1907), 9 (1882), 10 (1895), 11 (1882); translation: ACA (1992 etc.): 21 volumes so
far: eight on Physics; four on Categories; five on Heavens; two on Soul.
RE 3A.1 (1927) 204–213 (#10), K. Praechter; DSB 12.440–443, G. Verbeke; R. Sorabji, Time, Creation
and the Continuum (1983); I. Hadot, “The Life and Works of Simplicius in Greek and Arabic Sources,”
in Sorabji (1991) 275–303; R. Sorabji, ed., Aristotle Transformed (1991); K.A. Algra, Concepts of space
in Greek thought (1995); OCD3 1409 – 1410, R. Sorabji; NP 11.578–580, I. Hadot; R. Sorabji, The
Philosophy of the Commentators 200–600 AD 3 vv. (2004).
Han Baltussen


Skopinas of Surakousai (200 – 150 BCE)


Inventor of the sundial-type called plinthion or lacunar, of which an example was in the
Circus Flaminius (Regio IX of Rome) in V’ time (9.8.1); cf. P, Oracles 3
(410E). Vitruuius 1.17 ranks him with P, A, A  S,
A, E, and A  P, as a writer of works on
machines and sundials; all of his works are lost. The name seems otherwise unattested, but
compare the very common Skopas (LGPN).


S.L. Gibbs, Greek and Roman Sundials (1976) 61; Netz (1997) #108.
PTK


Skulax of Halikarnassos (140 – 90 BCE)


In a passage treating the validity of divination in Stoicism, C (Div. 2.88) mentions
P’ intimate friend Skulax who, excellens in astrologia, headed the government at
Halikarnassos and, sharing in Panaitios’ disdain for astrological prophecy, renounced the
Chaldaean method of prognostication.


RE 3A.1 (1927) 646 (#3), H. von Arnim.
GLIM


Skulax of Karuanda (ca 510 – 500 BCE)


Karian sailor, commissioned by Darius I to explore the Indus river. According to H
(4.44), he embarked from Kaspatyrus (more likely Kaspapyrus, thought to be
on the Kabul near Pesha ̄war) east to the sea, and took 30 months to reach the north end of
the Red Sea near Suez. The circumnavigation of Arabia under Darius is confirmed by
inscriptions on stelai erected near the canal dug by the Persian king from the Mediterranean
to the Red Sea; claims for control of India are made in the royal inscriptions of Darius and
Xerxe ̄s. Skulax wrote a report of his voyage for Darius, perhaps part of the Periplous of
the Sea outside the Pillars of He ̄rakle ̄s or the Circuit of the Earth credited to him in the Souda
(Sigma-710). He was used by H  M and He ̄rodotos, and cited by A-
, Athe ̄naios (although he is uncertain about the attribution), Harpokratio ̄n, Philostra-
tos and Tzetze ̄s, for information about the east, some of it fanciful – Skulax is credited with
descriptions of Troglodytes, Shade-foots and Winnowing-fan-ears. Several citations of Sku-
lax in S, Schol. Apoll. Rhodes, and Constantine VII Porphurogenne ̄tos refer to


SKULAX OF KARUANDA
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