Life Biton was a Hellenistic author known solely from his surviving technical treatise. No biographical details are recorded [1][2][3]. Scholars date his activity to the 3rd century BCE based on his dedication of the work to a Queen Attalus, identified as a queen of the Attalid dynasty in Pergamon [1][2].

Works His only extant work is the Κατασκευαὶ πολεμικῶν ὀργάνων καὶ καταπαλτικῶν (Construction of War Machines and Catapults). This manual provides detailed descriptions and dimensions for building eight siege engines, including four stone-throwing and four bolt-shooting catapults [1][2][3].

Significance Biton’s treatise is a crucial technical document for understanding Hellenistic military engineering. It serves as both a practical manual and a demonstration of engineering skill for royal patronage, offering direct insight into the artillery technology and military priorities of the period [1][2]. The text also preserves valuable, if indirect, historical references by attributing inventions to earlier engineers like Zopyrus of Tarentum [2].

Sources 1. Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Biton-Greek-engineer 2. Perseus Digital Library (Catalog entry for Biton): http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0230 3. ToposText (Work entry for Biton): https://topostext.org/work/830