1-152-245 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

The death of Archimedes at the capture of Syracuse by the Romans, 212 BC (late 19th century). Born in Syracuse on the island of Sicily, Archimedes (c287-212 BC) is one of the most celebrated scientists of the ancient world. He is probably most famous for his shout of 'Eureka' when he realised that the level of water in his bath rose when he got into it. Archimedes' major contribution to mathematics was his discovery of formulae for the areas and volumes of spheres, cylinders, parabolas and other plane and solid figures. The methods he used anticipated the theories of integration that were developed 1800 years later. He also pioneered the science of hydrostatics, the study of the pressure and equilibrium of fluids. The Archimedean screw developed by him as a means of raising water is still used for irrigation purposes today. Archimedes was killed when the Romans captured Syracuse in 212 BC. The city had held out against the besieging Romans for 3 years, aided by various military engines built to Archimedes' designs.