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

(Ron) #1

563, the new dome was 6 m deeper, more stable, but less “awe inspiring” (Agathias, History
5.9). Isido ̄ros and John of Constantinople, both young men, built fortifications, churches,
barracks and baths in Zenobia, Mesopotamia (Prokop. Aed. 2.8.25). Constantine of Rhodes
(9th c.) names Isido ̄ros as co-designer of Justinian’s church of the Holy Apostles in Constan-
tinople. Although not an academic, Isido ̄ros seems to have matched his uncle’s reputation.
The illustrious me ̄khaniko ̄s celebrated in two house inscriptions at Qinnesrı ̄n, Syria, (ca 550
CE) has been associated with Isido ̄ros the Younger.


RE 9.2 (1916) 2081, E. Fabricius; IGLSyr 2, #348, #349; Downey (1948) 105; W. Emerson and
R.L. van Nice, “Haghia Sophia, Istanbul,” AJA 47 (1947) 403–436; eidem, “Haghia Sophia: The
collapse of the first dome,” Archaeology 4 (1951) 94–103; RBK 3 (1975) 508–510, M. Restle; Warren
(1976) 10–12; Mainstone (1988) 215–217; ODB 1017, W. Loerke and M.J. Johnson; PLRE 3 (1992)
724 – 725 (#5); R. Taylor, “A Literary and Structural Analysis of the First Dome on Justinian’s Hagia
Sophia, Constantinople,” JSAH 55 (1996) 66–78.
Kostis Kourelis


Isido ̄ros of Abudos (170 – 160 BCE?)


Designed a large stone-throwing catapult at Thessalonike ̄, probably for its successful emer-
gency defense against the Romans (Livy 44.10.5–7). Isido ̄ros’ stone-thrower, described by
B, Belop. 3 ( pp.48–51 W.), was a mechanically-assisted bow (i.e., gastraphete ̄s), cocked
by a winch (kokhlias), that shot stones of ca 20 kg (40 minae).


Marsden (1971) 68–69, 82–84.
PTK


Isido ̄ros of Antioch (50? – 80 CE)


Traditionally considered G’s student and friend (Gossen), but the reference is by
A  C (Y) in Gale ̄n (CMGen 5.12, 13.834–835 K.); he might
have practiced in Rome (Fabricius). Andromakhos quotes five compound recipes authored
or used by Isido ̄ros: a lozenge for dysentery compounded from yellow orpiment, realgar,
copper scales, saffron, etc, mixed with sweet wine (CMLoc 9.5, 13.295–296 K.); trokhiskoi
against aphthae (CMGen 5.12, 13.833–835 K.); plaster for wounds (gangrenous and malign:
CMGen 6.6, 13.885 K., giving the ethnic); and a plaster for dermatological affections
(ibid., 908 K.).


RE 9.2 (1916) 2080 (#29), H. Gossen; Fabricius (1972) 228.
Alain Touwaide


Isido ̄ros of Kharax (ca 40 – 1 BCE)


Greek geographer of Kharax Spasinou (later Antioch), an important mercantile center in
southern Mesopotamia on the Persian Gulf, author of Stathmoi Parthikoi, an itinerary of the
caravan trail from Zeugma to the borders of India, naming the supply stations maintained
by the Parthian authorities for the convenience of merchants and containing some descrip-
tion of local traits. The work includes names of stations and intervening distances indicated
in skhoinoi, a Persian unit of measure. Other fragments attributed to Isido ̄ros deal with long-
lived people, pearl fisheries in the Persian Gulf, measurements of the oikoumene ̄ based on
E and records of distances given by P. Isido ̄ros, identified as “Dionusios,”


ISIDO ̄ROS OF KHARAX
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