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

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√ 2 that was found by Hippasos. Theodo ̄ros’ discoveries were further incorporated in the
general theory of irrational magnitudes, developed by his student Theaite ̄tos and set forth
in Book 10 of Euclid’s Elements.


DK 43; Knorr (1975); van der Waerden (1979); H. Thesleff, “Theodoros and Theaetetus,” Arctos 24
(1991) 147–159; Zhmud (2006).
Leonid Zhmud


Theodo ̄ros (of Macedon?) (70 – 150 CE)


Pharmacologist, wrote a compilation of compound medicines in at least 76 books
(P 36 [CMG 10.1.1, p. 39]), now lost, and title unknown. Compounds are
quoted by Philoumenos, A  A, A  T, P 
A, and the 14th c. toxicological compilation, pseudo-A P, which iden-
tifies Theodo ̄ros as from Macedon. He is said to have acquired medical formulae from
A  N.
Scholars consider Theodo ̄ros a Pneumaticist, because D L (2.103)
lists Theodo ̄ros (a very common name) as a physician student of an Athe ̄naios, perhaps
A  A. Furthermore, one of Theodo ̄ros’ recipes in Aëtios (14.48,
p. 789 Cornarius) is attributed by Paulos (4.42 [CMG 9.1, p. 361]) to A. Recipes
attributed to Theodo ̄ros seem consistent with 1st c. CE methods and practice, although
pseudo-D On Poisons and On Venoms (both incorporated into Dioskourides’
corpus before the 9th c.) never cite him. P attributes two recipes (20.103, 24.186) to a
Theodo ̄ros. These data, if all applicable to the same man, suggest the date-range, which
remains troubling, as G never cites him.


Wellmann (1895) 13; RE 5A.2 (1934) 1865–1866 (#45), K. Deichgräber.
Alain Touwaide


Theodo ̄ros of Pho ̄kaia (ca 380 BCE)


Author of a treatise on the Tholos at Delphi, according to V (7.pr.12). On the
basis of this single testimony it is generally accepted that Theodo ̄ros was the designing
architect of the Tholos constructed around 380 BCE in the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia
(the Marmaria) at Delphi. This sumptuous marble building, consisting of a cylindrical cella
surrounded by a Doric peristyle, was probably a kind of temple, though the precise function
is debated. The plan is an exceedingly rational radial scheme in which the position of nearly
every element is related to the rays of the circle that determine the axes of the exterior
columns. Innovations, such as the use of a new set of proportions in the elevation of the
exterior order and the first securely attested use of a Corinthian colonnade in the interior,
would suggest that Theodo ̄ros was a pioneering designer. Some features of the Tholos,
including the Pentelic marble from which it was constructed, show a definite Athenian
influence, though the ethnic, Phocaeus, that Vitruuius gives Theodo ̄ros should indicate that
he was from Asia Minor. The idea that the name of the architect of the Tholos is a
corruption of Theodotos, the architect named in the building accounts of the 4th c. temple
of Askle ̄pios at Epidauros, has received some consideration but is beyond proof.


J. Charbonneaux and K. Gottlob, Fouilles de Delphes, II, La Tholos (1925); G. Gruben, Die Tempel der
Griechen, 4th ed. (1986) 97–99; F. Seiler, Die griechische Tholos (1986) 57–71; G. Roux, “La tholos
d’Athéna Pronaia dans son sanctuaire de Delphes,” CRAI (1988) 290–309; Svenson-Evers (1996)
320 – 329.
Christopher A. Pfaff


THEODO ̄ROS (OF MACEDON?)
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