Geometria: A basic introduction to geometry.Definitiones: A glossary of geometric terms.Heron wrote at least 13 books, covering a range of topics: Geometry and Mathematics In these fields, he made many excellent contributions and, along with Archimedes, explored the practical uses of mathematics and physics. Heron taught at the University of Alexandria where, judging by the contents of his books, he taught mathematics, physics, pneumatics and mechanics. Historians think that he was born in the great seat of learning, Alexandria, Egypt, at about 10 CE, and that he was an ethnic Greek, although a few historians believe that he was Babylonian or Mesopotamian. There are many mentions of writers called Heron (or Hero), but it was a very common name in the Hellenistic world. Very little is known about the life of Heron of Alexandria. Interestingly, Heron designed several mechanical devices to simulate temple miracles, including a device attached to the temple door which made a trumpet play when the door was opened, a coin-operated holy water dispenser, and a device for opening temple doors using heat and water power. Heron was also precise in dictating the types of materials that should be used to make the machine function properly. Heron's writings in mathematics and mechanics reveal that he was practical by nature, often using ingenious means to attain his goal, such as his design for a steam engine, war catapults, and various machines for lifting that used compound pulleys and winches. His works draw on a wide range of sources, written in Greek, Latin, and Egyptian, and he added his own ideas to this solid basis. Heron was strongly influenced by the writings of Ctesibius of Alexandria and may even have been a student of the ancient mechanical engineer.
Despite the lack of historical records on Heron's life, the breadth of his writings on mathematics and mechanics leave little doubt that he was well educated.
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