Although not so well known today, Book 4 of Pappus' Collection is one of
the most important and influential mathematical texts from antiquity.
The mathematical vignettes form a portrait of mathematics during the
Hellenistic "Golden Age", illustrating central problems - for example,
squaring the circle; doubling the cube; and trisecting an angle -
varying solution strategies, and the different mathematical styles
within ancient geometry.
This volume provides an English translation of Collection 4, in full,
for the first time, including: a new edition of the Greek text, based on
a fresh transcription from the main manuscript and offering an
alternative to Hultsch's standard edition, notes to facilitate
understanding of the steps in the mathematical argument, a commentary
highlighting aspects of the work that have so far been neglected, and
supporting the reconstruction of a coherent plan and vision within the
work, bibliographical references for further study.