"How much money Euclid made when he published the Elements"?

Question

Of course the terms 'money' and 'publish' may have had completely different meanings in Euclid's time than today's.

So if you know greek history AND history of mathematics, this question is for you.

No pun intended here.

This is a serious question asked by a friend of mine (thus the quotes) hwo was thinking contemporarily.

Answer 1

This information is not in the public domain.
Not much is known about Euclid the man, not even his dates.
All that is known is that he was alive about 325-265BC and was active in Alexandria presumably in the Library. He is thought to have studied at the Academy in Athens.
The Geometry he produced was not original, but he brought it all together in a single cohesive structure. The number theory may have been more original, it is less heard of because when the Europeans first rediscovered his works, the Geometry was comprehensible to them, but the Number Theory was too advanced, and was therefore neglected for many years.
He is famous, because his works are among the ones that survived, although several of his books were lost. Many ancient works were lost in the upheavals that followed the collapse of Classical Civilisation; it was the Muslims who finally rescued them, translated them and studied them. Later, they were brought to Europe, and that was the start of the resurgence of learning in Europe after the Dark Ages and Early Medieval Period.

Answer 2

Don't know your answer, but I'll point you to a reference that may get you to sources that will help. http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/history/Biographies/Euclid.html

There's a few comments on the nature of "publishing" the Elements and a summary of the theories of authorship as well as quotes from 5th century greek anthologist Stobaeus. Might be a good lead to follow at a university library. Good luck!

Answer 3

Wasn't he tutoring some rich guy's kid...? So he may have gotten his room and board, and a change of clothes once in a while, but I kind of doubt he got much more than that. I think he just got famous out of it (much later, of course.) There was no such thing as professional publishing in those days, so it was an amateur effort.

Or, were you attempting some kind of pun on how much does a grecian urn...? how much is he ode..?

Answer 4

Mass media did not exist in Euclid's time, so publications could not have been profitable. I don't believe he made any money and if he did it would have been insignificant compared to today's terms. In any event, no one would know.