Archimedes -- Born: About 287 BC in Syracuse, Sicily. At the time Syracuse was an independent Greek city-state with a 500-year history. Died 212 or 211 BC in Syracuse when it was being sacked by a Roman army. He was killed by a Roman soldier who did not know who he was. Education: Probably studied in Alexandria, Egypt, under the followers of Euclid. Family His father was an astronomer named Phidias and he was probably related to Hieron II, the king of Syracuse. It is not known whether he was married or had any children. Inventions: Many war machines used in the defense of Syracuse, compound pulley systems, planetarium, water screw (possibly), water organ (possibly), burning mirrors (very unlikely).