# Hippias

> 5th century BC Greek sophist

**Wikidata**: [Q210573](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q210573)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippias)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hippias

## Summary
Hippias of Elis was a 5th-century BC Greek sophist, philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer. He is best known for his contributions to geometry, particularly the invention of the quadratrix, a curve used for trisecting angles and squaring the circle.

## Biography
- **Born**: c. 460 BC, Elis, Greece
- **Nationality**: Greek
- **Education**: Unknown
- **Known for**: Inventing the quadratrix, a geometric curve; contributions to philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy
- **Employer(s)**: None specified
- **Field(s)**: Philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, sophist

## Contributions
Hippias of Elis is credited with the invention of the **quadratrix**, a geometric curve designed to solve classical problems such as trisecting an angle and squaring the circle. His work in geometry and mathematics influenced later developments in these fields. As a sophist, he was part of the intellectual movement in 5th-century BC Greece, contributing to philosophy and education. His teachings and writings, though largely lost, are referenced in later works, indicating his significance in ancient Greek thought.

## FAQs
### **What is Hippias best known for?**
Hippias is best known for inventing the quadratrix, a geometric curve used to solve problems like trisecting an angle and squaring the circle.

### **What fields did Hippias contribute to?**
Hippias contributed to philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, and sophist teachings. His work in geometry, particularly the quadratrix, is his most notable achievement.

### **Where was Hippias from?**
Hippias was from Elis, a city-state in ancient Greece.

### **What was Hippias's role in ancient Greek society?**
As a sophist, Hippias was part of a group of teachers and intellectuals who traveled across Greece, educating and debating on various subjects, including philosophy, mathematics, and rhetoric.

## Why They Matter
Hippias of Elis played a crucial role in the development of geometry and mathematics in ancient Greece. His invention of the quadratrix provided a tool for solving geometric problems that had long puzzled mathematicians. As a sophist, he contributed to the intellectual and educational landscape of 5th-century BC Greece, influencing the spread of knowledge and critical thinking. His work laid the groundwork for later advancements in mathematics and philosophy, making him a significant figure in the history of these fields.

## Notable For
- Inventing the quadratrix, a geometric curve used for trisecting angles and squaring the circle.
- Being a prominent sophist in 5th-century BC Greece.
- Contributions to philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy.
- Influencing later developments in geometry and education.

## Body
### **Early Life and Background**
Hippias of Elis was born around 460 BC in Elis, a city-state in ancient Greece. Little is known about his early life or education, but he emerged as a significant figure in the intellectual movement of 5th-century BC Greece.

### **Contributions to Geometry and Mathematics**
Hippias is most renowned for his invention of the **quadratrix**, a geometric curve designed to solve classical problems such as trisecting an angle and squaring the circle. This curve was a significant advancement in geometry, providing a method to address problems that had long challenged mathematicians. His work in this area influenced later developments in mathematics and geometry.

### **Role as a Sophist**
As a sophist, Hippias was part of a group of teachers and intellectuals who traveled across Greece, educating and debating on various subjects. Sophists were known for their expertise in rhetoric, philosophy, and mathematics, and they played a crucial role in the intellectual and educational landscape of ancient Greece. Hippias's contributions to these fields helped shape the spread of knowledge and critical thinking during this period.

### **Influence and Legacy**
Hippias's work in geometry and mathematics laid the groundwork for later advancements in these fields. His invention of the quadratrix provided a tool for solving geometric problems that had long puzzled mathematicians. As a sophist, he contributed to the intellectual and educational landscape of 5th-century BC Greece, influencing the spread of knowledge and critical thinking. His teachings and writings, though largely lost, are referenced in later works, indicating his significance in ancient Greek thought.

### **Fields of Work**
Hippias's fields of work included philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, and sophist teachings. His contributions to these fields were significant, particularly in geometry, where his invention of the quadratrix provided a method for solving classical geometric problems.

### **Notable Works and Achievements**
- **Quadratrix of Hippias**: A geometric curve used for trisecting angles and squaring the circle.
- **Sophist Teachings**: Contributions to philosophy, mathematics, and education in 5th-century BC Greece.

### **Impact on Later Developments**
Hippias's work in geometry and mathematics influenced later developments in these fields. His invention of the quadratrix provided a tool for solving geometric problems that had long puzzled mathematicians. As a sophist, he contributed to the intellectual and educational landscape of 5th-century BC Greece, influencing the spread of knowledge and critical thinking. His teachings and writings, though largely lost, are referenced in later works, indicating his significance in ancient Greek thought.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. Plathane (Pauly-Wissowa)
3. general catalog of BnF
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. CERL Thesaurus
7. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
8. Enciclopedia Treccani
9. Treccani Philosophy