Archimedes of Syracuse (287-212 BCE)

King Hieron II of Syracuse had a crown of pure gold but he was not sure and so suspected that crown was made by mixing some silver with gold. King then asked Archimedes to discover the truth. It was very tough in those days. But what happened one day while Archimedes was taking a bath, observed a certain volume of water displaced by his body weight when he sank into the bathtub. Then he realized that it could be identify pure metals based on how much water they displaced. Soon he developed this observation into a mathematical concept called the Archimedes’s Principal.

Later he invented a device for raising water called the Archimedes Screw. This is still used in many countries today.

He built the defence and war machines of Syracuse by his engineering knowledge.

Unfortunately, he was killed by Roman soldiers when the army of General Marcus Claudius Marcellus sacked the city.