Andronicus of Cyrrhus: Difference between revisions
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Andronicus of Cyrrhus or Andronicus Cyrrhestes (Latin; Template:Langx, Andrónikos Kyrrhēstēs; Template:Fl.) was a Macedonian astronomer best known for designing the Tower of the Winds in Roman Athens.
Life
[edit]Little is known about the life of Andronicus, although his father is recorded as Hermias. It is usually assumed that he came from the Cyrrhus in Macedonia rather than the one in Syria.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Work
[edit]Andronicus is usually credited with the construction of the Tower of the Winds in the Roman forum at Athens around Template:Nowrap a considerable portion of which still exists.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is octagonal, with figures of the eight principal winds (Anemoi) carved on the appropriate side.Template:Sfnp Originally, a bronze figure of Triton was placed on the summit that was turned round by the wind so that the rod in his hand pointed to the correct wind direction, an idea replicated with subsequent wind vanes.Template:Sfnp The interior housed a large clepsydra and there were multiple sundials on the exterior, so that it functioned as a kind of early clocktower.
He also built a multifaced sundial for the Temple of Poseidon on the island of Tinos.