Theodo ̄ros of Samos (590 – 530 BCE)
Son of Telekle ̄s, architect of an early archaic Temple of He ̄ra at Samos, also a sculptor,
gem-cutter, metal smith, and inventor. Built, ca 575 – 550 BCE, the huge (ca 52.5 x 105 m)
Ionic dipteral temple which had two rows of columns in the interior and a deep pronaos
(He ̄raion III). Because of weak foundations, it had to be replaced by a second dipteral
temple 40 m to the west (He ̄raion IV, with deep and carefully laid foundations, 530– 500
BCE), associated with the tyrant Polukrate ̄s of Samos (d. 525 BCE). H (3.60)
mentions the replacement as the largest temple in Greece, with R as architect. Later
sources link the two architects on these and other projects and attribute to Theodo ̄ros
numerous works of art and the invention of useful tools and devices (P 7.198).
V cites them as co-authors of a book on the He ̄raion (7.pr.12).Work on the great
temple continued for two centuries but was never completed.
Svenson-Ebers (1996) 7–49; H.J. Kienast, “Der Niedergang des Tempels des Theodoros,” MDAI(A)
113 (1998) 111–131; Idem in M. Stamatopoulou and M. Yeroulanou, edd., “Topography and
architecture of the Archaic Heraion at Samos,” Excavating Classical Culture (2002) 317–325; KLA
2.445–447, S. Ebbinghaus.
Margaret M. Miles
Theodo ̄ros of Soloi (Kilikia) (ca 300 BCE – 100 CE)
Wrote a commentary on P’s Timaios. He described the five regular Platonic solids,
arguing against a common material origin because of the varying complexity (and number
of triangles) comprising each element – less complex elements seemingly would be com-
pleted first. He also contended for a division and separation of matter into the five “worlds”
of regular “elements.” Theodo ̄ros explained elemental transformation as a change in
environment, e.g., the compression and condensation of two units of fire being extinguished
yield one unit of air (P, de defect orac. 427A–428B). In response to Plato, Timaios
35c2–36a5, the construction of the World Soul according to geometrical principles, Theo-
do ̄ros arranged numbers in a single line (not double or triple) arguing from the cleavage of
matter lengthwise and, furthermore, that such an arrangement protects against disorder
and confusion as the first power of 3 is transposed from the first power of 2 (Plutarch, Anim.
Proc. 1022D). P (In Eucl. p. 118 Fr.) disputes Theodo ̄ros’ assumption that mixed
(helical) lines are a blending of straight and curved.
RE 5A.2 (1934) 1811 (#30), K. von Fritz.
GLIM
T ⇒ M
Theodorus Priscianus (364 – 375 CE)
V’ student, who had enormous respect for his medical mentor (Theod. Prisc.,
Physica, Pr. [Rose, p. 251]). Theodorus was probably also a member of the social and
economic levels associated with the royal house in the western empire, perhaps, like his
mentor, an arkhiatros in his own right. The medical masters and their apprentices in 4th c.
Gaul, Italy, and north Africa knew their Greek texts, and when A T
quotes from Theodorus Priscianus’ (lost) book on epilepsy, there is no indication of a Latin
original, suggesting a possible Greek version (Alex. Tr. 1.559 Puschm.). Two passages in
THEODORUS PRISCIANUS