Pappus of Alexandria: Book 4 of the Collection

Although not so well known today, Book 4 of Pappus Collection is one of the most important and influential mathematical texts from antiquity. The mathematical vignettes form a portrait of mathematics during the Hellenistic "Golden Age", illustrating central problems for example, squaring the circle; doubling the cube; and trisecting an angle varying solution strategies, and the different mathematical styles within ancient geometry. This volume provides an English translation of Collection 4, in full, for the first time, including: a new edition of the Greek text, based on a fresh transcription from the main manuscript and offering an alternative to Hultschs standard edition, notes to facilitate understanding of the steps in the mathematical argument, a commentary highlighting aspects of the work that have so far been neglected, and supporting the reconstruction of a coherent plan and vision within the work, bibliographical references for further study.