Menela'us(Μενέλαος), a Greek
mathematician, a native of Alexandria.
Menelaus is mentioned by Pappus, Proclus, and Ptolemaeus, who, in his
Magna Syntaxis (p. 170), says that he made some astronomical observations at Rome in
the first year of the emperor Trajan (
A. D. 98). He is probably the
same with the Menelaus introduced by Plutarch in his dialogue
De Facie in
Orbe Lunae, p. 930.
Works
μικρὸς ἀστρονόμος, or
μικρὸς ἀστρονομούμενοςHe is the author of a treatise in three books, on the Sphere, which is comprised in the
mathematical collection called μικρὸς ἀστρονόμος, or
μικρὸς ἀστρονομούμενος.
Editions
A Latin translation of the treatise on the Sphere was published at Paris in
1644; and it was also published by Marinus Mersennus in his Synopsis Mathematica, Paris, 1644. This edition contained
many additions and interpolations. A more correct edition was published at Oxford by
Halley, a reprint of which, with a preface by G. Costard, appeared in 1758.
On the Quantity and Distinction of Mixed Bodies.Besides his work on the Sphere, Menelaus wrote a treatise
On the Quantity and
Distinction of Mixed Bodies. Translations
Both works were translated into Syriac and Arabic.
Further Information
Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol. iv. pp. 16, 23.
[C.P.M](author.C.P.M)]