Apollonios of Damascus

Apollonius of Damascus was a Greek mathematician and astronomer from the 3rd century AD, known for his work in geometry and astronomy. He contributed to the understanding of conic sections—curves like circles, ellipses, and parabolas—and developed methods for calculating the positions of planets and stars. His most famous work, the "Conics," laid the foundation for later developments in geometry and algebra. Apollonius's insights were influential in both ancient and later mathematical thought, bridging theoretical mathematics and practical astronomy.