Archimedes was a Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer and inventor.

He discovered the usefulness of the fulcrum and lever. He began the measurement of the specific gravity of objects. He is credited with having invented what is called the screw of Archimedes for pumping up water, as well as an engine to throw heavy stones at the enemy. A work attributed to Archimedes called The Sand-Reckoner, which Copernicus probably knew, contains a passage discussing Aristarchus' heliocentric theory.