De ̄me ̄trios of Alexandria (200 BCE – 100 CE)
Wrote Linear Considerations (Grammikai Epistaseis: the third of the three types of geometrical
problems: plane, solid, linear) on the geometrical curves, which he discovered in attempting
to trisect rectilinear angles by studying the interaction of various surfaces (e.g., plektoids/
spiral curves with other surfaces), and which exhibit “astonishing properties” (n.b., the
quadratrix of D). De ̄me ̄trios discovered many complex solutions including,
perhaps, spirals, quadratrices, conchoids, and cissoids. De ̄me ̄trios predates M, who
called one of his, or P T’s, curves “paradoxical”: P, Coll. 4.36 (p. 270 H.)
RE 4.2 (1901) 2849 (#116), Fr. Hultsch.
GLIM
De ̄me ̄trios of Amisos (ca 250 BCE?)
Son of Rathe ̄nos, mathematician noteworthy for his knowledge: S 12.3.16.
RE 4.2 (1901) 2849 (#117), Fr. Hultsch; Netz (1997) #30.
GLIM
De ̄me ̄trios of Apameia (ca 200 – 100 BCE?)
He ̄rophilean physician extensively interested in pathology and gynecology; cited mostly in
S (and C A), but also H T, whereas he
cites A, yielding the date-range. Whether he hails from Apameia in Bithunia or on
the Oronte ̄s river in Syria is uncertain. In On Diseases, he described indications of dropsy
distinguishable from diabetes (12 books: Cael. Aur. Chron. 3.99, 102 [CML 6.1, pp. 738,
740]) and differentiated causes of hemorrhaging including cutting, open pores, diffusion,
bodily weakness, and openings at the ends of vessels (Chron. 2.122–123 [p. 618]). He con-
sidered apoplexy and paralysis identical (Acute 3.55 [pp. 324–326]), distinguished bodily
convulsions from tremors (Acute 3.71–72 [p. 334], Chron. 2.64 [p. 582]), and defined mania
as a strain on the mind (Chron. 1.150 [p. 518]). Caelius Aurelianus discounts his theory that
hudrophobia is a slow and long-lasting ailment (Acute 3.106 [p. 354]) and criticizes his
omission of fever from his discussion of pneumonia (Acute 2.141 [p. 226]). Nonetheless,
De ̄me ̄trios included fever as a symptom of phrenitis (Acute 1.4 [p. 24]), lethargy (Acute 2.4
[ p. 132]), and cardiac disease (Acute 2.173 [p. 248]). Regarding gynecology, De ̄me ̄trios
argued for diseases particular to women, in stark contrast to other He ̄rophileans
(H, A L). De ̄me ̄trios recognized six varieties of vaginal
flux which he defined as the flow of fluid matter (bloody and other) through the uterus (So ̄r.
Gyn. 3.43.2 [CMG 4, p. 122]). He described the causes and cures of difficult childbirth,
including the parturient’s emotional state and ignorance of the process, uterine shape and
size, and the embryo’s size and position (So ̄r. Gyn. 4.2–5 [CMG 4, pp. 131–135]).
von Staden (1989) 506–511; OCD3 450 – 451, Idem.
GLIM
De ̄me ̄trios (of Athens?) (300 – 270 BCE)
Geometer, wrote On the Difficulties of P, preserved in badly damaged papyrus
fragments (P. Herc. 1429, 1061), arguing the incompatibility of the Euclidean doctrine of
DE ̄ME ̄TRIOS OF ALEXANDRIA