10 Smartest Human Beings Of All Time

Archimedes was the greatest mathematician of the ancient world. Though the details of his personal life are not known, his achievements were well documented by ancient scholars.

He invented what is now known as ‘the Archimedes screw’, a machine used for transferring water. And he also carried out revolutionary research into the laws of levers and pulleys, which allowed people to move heavy objects using small forces. This research revolved around a fundamental law of physics: the centre of gravity, something Archimedes discovered himself.

What’s more, this Greek mathematician also turned his talents to warfare. He designed several machines, such as catapults and a giant claw, which were used to take down Roman ships approaching the city of Syracuse.

Archimedes is even credited with creating a burning mirror (also known as a ‘death ray’) that concentrated beams of sunlight and set enemy ships on fire – though historians have questioned the validity of this claim.