Archimedes (Greek: Αρχιμηδης) was an ancient Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, astronomer and philosopher born in the seaport colony of Syracuse.

He is reputed to have discovered the principles of density and buoyancy, also known as Archimedes' principle, while taking a bath (thereupon taking to the streets naked he called "Eureka"); to have been able to move a full-size ship complete with crew and cargo by pulling a single rope. In creativity and insight, he exceeded any other mathematician prior to the European Renaissance.

Archimedes became a popular figure as a result of his involvement in the defense of Syracuse against the Roman siege in the Second Punic War. He is reputed to have held the Romans at bay with war machines of his own design.Archimedes became a popular figure as a result of his involvement in the defense of Syracuse against the Roman siege in the Second Punic War. He is reputed to have held the Romans at bay with war machines of his own designHe has also been credited with the possible invention of the odometer during the First Punic War. One of his inventions used for military defense of Syracuse against the invading Romans was the claw of Archimedes.

Archimedes was killed by a Roman soldier in the sack of Syracuse during the Second Punic War.he Greeks said that he was killed while drawing an equation in the sand; engrossed in his diagram and impatient with being interrupted, he is said to have muttered his famous last words before being slain by an enraged Roman soldier: "Don't disturb my circles". It is also known that he described the diopter which was the ancestor of the modern theodolite without which geodesists, miners and biulders cannot work.