http://elib.zib.de/IMU/medals/
Obverse:
The head represents Archimedes facing right.
(1) In the field is the word APXIMHDOYS in Greek capitals, and
(2) the artist's monogram and date RTM, MCNXXXIII.
(3) The inscription reads: TRANSIRE SUUM PECTUS MUNDOQUE POTIRI.
The inscriptions mean:
(1) "of Archimedes", namely the face of Archimedes.
(2) R(obert) T(ait) M(cKenzie), that is the name of the Canadian
sculptor who designed the medal. The correct date would read:
"MCMXXXIII" or 1933. The second letter M has to be substituted
for the false N.
(3) "To transcend one's spirit and to take hold of (to master) the
world."
My question: does the Greek word APXIMHDOYS [= "of Archimedes"] just refer
to Archimedes' face, or also refer to the Latin inscription?
Greetings from Montevideo,
Julio.
At 05:08 PM 19/08/1998 -0700, Len Berggren wrote:
| Today's press release concerning the awarding of the Fields Medals says
| that the Latin Inscription on the obverse, which translates as 'Rise above
| oneself and grasp the world', is due to Archimedes (whose head is
| represented along with the inscription). I have never heard of such a
| saying attributed to Archimedes and I wonder if any of you could enlighten
| me as to where this statement, attributed to Archimedes, appears in the
| classical literature.