Book excerpt: The father of geometry, Euclid was a Greek mathematician active in Alexandria during the reign of Ptolemy I (323-283 BC). His treatise on geometry, ‘Elements’, is one of the most influential works in the history of mathematics, serving as the main textbook for teaching mathematics from the time of its first publication until the early twentieth century. In the ‘Elements’, Euclid deduces the theorems of what is now called Euclidean geometry from a small set of axioms. Euclid compiled his treatise from a number of works of earlier mathematicians including Pythagoras, Hippocrates of Chios and Eudoxus of Cnidus, preserving many otherwise lost ideas. One of the very earliest mathematical works to be printed after the invention of the printing press, it has been estimated that ‘Elements’ is second only to the Bible in the number of editions published. Delphi’s Ancient Classics series provides eReaders with the wisdom of the Classical world, with both English translations and the original Greek texts. This comprehensive eBook presents Euclid’s collected (almost complete) works, with illustrations, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1)* Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Euclid's life and works * Features the collected works of Euclid in English translation * Includes the original Greek text of ‘Elements’ * Includes Thomas Heath’s seminal translation of ‘Elements’ for Cambridge University Press * Excellent formatting of the texts * Includes Euclid's rare work ‘Optics’, first time in digital print * Features a bonus biography — discover Euclid's ancient world * Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genresPlease visit www.delphiclassics.com to explore our range of Ancient Classics titles or buy the entire series as a Super SetCONTENTS:The Translations Elements (translated by Thomas Heath) Data (translated by Robert Simson) On Divisions of Figures (translated by Raymond Clare Archibald) Optics (translated by Harry Edwin Burton)The Greek Text ElementsThe Biography Euclid by John Sturgeon MackayPlease visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles