Archytas of Tarentum: Pythagorean, Philosopher and Mathematician King

Archytas of Tarentum is one of the three most important philosophers in the Pythagorean tradition, a prominent mathematician, who gave the first solution to the famous problem of doubling the cube, an important music theorist, and the leader of a powerful Greek city-state. He is famous for sending a trireme to rescue Plato from the clutches of the tyrant of Syracuse, Dionysius II, in 361 BC. This is the first extensive study of Archytas\' work in any language. It contains original texts, English translations and a full commentary for all the fragments of his writings and for all testimonia concerning his life and work. In addition there are introductory essays on Archytas\' life and writings, his philosophy, and the question of authenticity. Carl A. Huffman presents a new interpretation of Archytas’ significance both for the Pythagorean tradition and also for fourth-century Greek thought, including the philosophies of Plato and Aristotle.

• First book-length study of Archytas of Tarentum, prominent mathematician and philosopher in fourth-century Greece • Presents a radical new interpretation of the significance of Archytas of Tarentum • Provides a full commentary on fragments of Archytas’ writing and testimonia on his life

Part I. Introductory Essays: 1. Life, writings and reception; 2. The philosophy of Archytas; 3. The authenticity question; Part II. Genuine Fragments: 1. Fragment 1; 2. Fragment 2; 3. Fragment 3; 4. Fragment 4; Part III: Genuine Testimonia: 1. Life and writings (A1-A6, B5-B8); 2. Moral philosophy and character; 3. Geometry: the duplication of the cube (A14 and A15); 4. Music; 5. Metaphysics; 6. Physics; 7. Miscellaneous testimonia; Appendix: Spurious writings and testimonia; Appendix: Archytas’ name.

\'Huffman\'s book offers expert discussion of a variety of difficult topics … a much needed and authoritative commentary … Lucid argued, helpfully organised, and impressive in its scholarship, this book sets a high standard indeed … a rich volume of over 600 pages … there is much of real value here … a detailed and scholarly treatment of dauntingly difficulty material. Scholars owe Huffman a debt for undertaking this task, and executing it with such authority. It is a work to emulate\'.

– Sylvia Berryman, Department of Philosophy, The University of British Columbia