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

(Ron) #1

Domninos of Larissa (ca 430 – ca 475 CE)


Neo-Platonist philosopher and mathematician, studied under S with P,
who reports two of his theories (In Tim. I.109.30 and 122.18). D’ Vita Isidori
describes him as “a philosopher,” “of Syrian origin” (which, added to another anecdote con-
cerning Domninos’ disrespect for “the Syrian Law,” may indicate he was a Jew), “from
Laodikeia and Larissa, a Syrian city” (Laodikeia may refer to his residence in Thessalia).
M calls him “philosopher and successor” (Vita Procli 26), implying that he may have
been Syrianus’ successor, which is not improbable but reliant upon meager evidence. Both
Proklos and Damaskios respected him as an able mathematician, despite their strong oppos-
ition to his philosophical opinions; Syrianus, in contrast, held Domninos and Proklos in the
same respect.
Domninos wrote a Manual of introduction to arithmetic (extant), wherein his Elements of
arithmetic (lost) is attested. To Domninos is also attributed the tract How one is to subtract a ratio
from a ratio. The first text points to a lucid and competent treatment of ancient arithmetic,
based mainly on N and E, with a preference for the latter. The first two
treatises were meant to introduce the reading of P, following T  S’s
tradition. The third one, together with Proklos In Tim. 122.18, intimate Domninos’ interest
in mathematical astronomy.


Ed.: F. Romano, Domnino di Larissa (2000).
DPA 2 (1994) 892–896, A. Segonds.
Alain Bernard


Domnus (ca 450 – 500 CE)


Jewish physician, taught and was superseded by G  P (S 
B, s.v. Gea; Souda Gamma-207), listed as a commentator on the H
C, A in pseudo-O commentary.


RE 5.1 (1903) 1526, M. Wellmann; Stern 2 (1980) 678–679; P. Kibre, Hippocrates Latinus (1985) 31; Ihm
(2002) #48.
Annette Yoshiko Reed


Do ̄rio ̄n (Mech.) (200 – 25 BCE)


Writer on machines and inventor of the lusipolemos, listed by P. Berol. P-13044, col.8.


Diels (1920) 30, n.1.
PTK


Do ̄rio ̄n (Biol.) (1st c. BCE)


Compiled gastronomical and dietetic treatises and authored a book On Fishes, where he
gave names, descriptions and main characteristics of different species, apparently with
great detail (Ath., Deipn. 7 [306e]). Do ̄rio ̄n was concerned with lexicology and synonyms
(Deipn. 7 [282c, 285a, 304c, 315f, etc.]) and fond of cookery books (e.g., Euthude ̄mos, On
Pickles; E, On Cookery). He advised on culinary preparations (Deipn. 7 [287c, 300f],
and 7 [309f]: seasoning garfishes) and offered one technical recommendation (using the
juice of a fish called gnapheus, unfortunately not identified, against stains: 7 [297c]). Do ̄rio ̄n,


DO ̄RIO ̄N (BIOL.)
Free download pdf