Problems In Solid Geometry, on a fragment of a late-Hellenistic papyrus. Found in the Fayum in Egypt,
this document reflects the achievements of Hellenistic mathematicians such as Archimedes and Apollomus
of Perga, though without their standards of accuracy. The exercises illustrated involve calculations of the
height and volume of various forms of pyramids.
Eratosthenes had studied under Zeno and Arcesilaus, and the scientists doubtless knew, or knew of, the
philosophers. Equally, some of the philosophers were aware of scientific speculations; thus 'Cleanthes
thought that the Greeks should indict Aristarchus of Samos for impiety, inasmuch as he set the hearth of