Andronicus of Cyrrhus
Andronicus of Cyrrhus or Andronicus Cyrrhestes (Greek: Ἀνδρόνικος Κυρρήστου, Andrónikos Kyrrhēstou), son of Hermias, was an ancient Macedonian astronomer who flourished about 100 BC. He is best known as the architect of the horologion at Athens called the Tower of the Winds. Andronicus also built a multifaced sundial in the sanctuary of Poseidon on the Greek island of Tinos.
Life[]
He built a horologion at Athens, the so-called Tower of the Winds, a considerable portion of which still exists. It is octagonal, with figures carved on each side, representing the eight principal winds.[1] In antiquity a bronze figure of Triton on the summit, with a rod in his hand, turned round by the wind, pointed to the quarter from which it blew. From this model is derived the custom of placing weather cocks on steeples.[2]
Notes[]
- ^ Joseph V. Noble; Derek J. de Solla Price: The Water Clock in the Tower of the Winds, American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 72, No. 4 (1968), p353.
- ^ Chisholm 1911, p. 23.
References[]
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Andronicus of Cyrrhus". Encyclopædia Britannica. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 976.
External links[]
- Tenos island - Epigraphical Database - IG XII,5 891
- Ancient Greek astronomers
- Ancient Macedonian scientists
- Ancient Macedonians in Athens
- Roman-era Macedonians
- 2nd-century BC births
- 1st-century BC deaths