Philo Byzantium (Φίλων ὁ Βυζάντιος)

Life Philo of Byzantium was a Greek engineer and writer on mechanical technology active during the Hellenistic period, most likely in the late 3rd to early 2nd century BCE [1][2]. He is often associated with Byzantium but may have worked in Alexandria. As a practical mechanician (μηχανικός), he applied mathematical principles to the construction of devices [1].

Works His major work is the Mechanike syntaxis (Mechanical Collection), a nine-part compilation covering mechanics and technology [1][2][3]. Only portions survive: Book 4 (Belopoeica, on artillery) is preserved in Greek; Book 5 (Pneumatica) survives in Arabic and Latin translations; and Book 8 exists fragmentarily [1][2][3]. The lost sections treated topics from harbor building to automata.

Significance Philo is a crucial figure in the history of ancient technology. His Mechanical Collection synthesizes Hellenistic engineering knowledge, providing mathematically-based formulas for artillery and describing pneumatic devices [1][2]. His work influenced later writers like Hero of Alexandria and, through Arabic translations, medieval Islamic and European technology [1][2].

Sources 1. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Stanford University): https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/philo/ 2. Encyclopædia Britannica (Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.): https://www.britannica.com/biography/Philo-of-Byzantium 3. ToposText (Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation): https://topostext.org/people/1410