Archimedes' Life - Archimedes' Death

Archimedes’ death:

 

Archimedes died during the Siege of Syracuse when he was killed by a Roman soldier despite orders that he should not be harmed. Many people described visiting the tomb of Archimedes, which was surmounted by a sphere inscribed within a cylinder. .

For two years, Archimedes repelled the Romans, enabling the city of Syracuse to survive the lengthy siege. Nevertheless, in 212 BC the forces of Marcellus prevailed and took the city. Marcellus had great respect for Archimedes, and immediately dispatched soldiers to retrieve his foe.

When the Roman soldier demanded Archimedes accompany him to the quarters of Marcellus he simply refused, and continued his ruminations. The enraged soldier flew upon Archimedes, striking the 75 year-old eccentric dead.