Bio

Netz's main field is the history of pre-modern mathematics. His research involves the wider issues of the history of cognitive practices, e.g. visual culture, the history of the book, and literacy and numeracy. His books from Cambridge University Press include The Shaping of Deduction in Greek Mathematics: a Study in Cognitive History (1999, Runciman Award), The Transformation of Early Mediterranean Mathematics: From Problems to Equations (2004), and Ludic Proof: Greek Mathematics and the Alexandrian Aesthetic (2009).

He is also the author of the translation and commentary of the works of Archimedes, also with CUP, a three-volume work of which the first has appeared, The Two Books on Sphere and Cylinder (2004). Together with Nigel Wilson, he prepares the edition of the recently rediscovered Archimedes Palimpsest (evidence from which already gave rise to two major discoveries: a text showing actual infinity in Archimedes, published in SCIAMVS 2001-2002, and a text showing, possibly, combinatorics in Archimedes, published in SCIAMVS 2004.) Two volumes, Transcription and Critical Edition, are forthcoming from the British Academy, of which the transcription is already available online. His popular book on the Archimedes Palimpsest Project, The Archimedes Codex, (co-authored with William Noel, Neumann Prize) was published by Widenfeld and Nicolson, 2007, and is translated into 20 languages.

Related to his research in cognitive history is his interest in ecological history, and he has published Barbed Wire: an Ecology of Modernity (Wesleyan University Press, 2004, finalist for PEN award). Reviel Netz is also a poet (Adayin Bahuc, 1999 Shufra: Tel Aviv, AMOS prize), one of a group of Hebrew poets active today whose work revives formal verse and he is the co-author, together with his wife, the Israeli author Maya Arad, of a collection of essays on Israeli literature, Positions of Stress (Meqom Hata'am, 2008 Axuzat Bayit: Tel Aviv).

Academic Appointments

  • Professor, Classics
  • Professor (By courtesy), Philosophy
  • Professor (By courtesy), History

Administrative Appointments

  • Fellowship, Center for Advanced Studies in Behavioral Sciences (2004 - 2005)
  • William H. and Frances Green Faculty Fellowship, Stanford University (2003 - 2004)
  • Reid Hall Fellowship, Columbia University (2002 - 2002)
  • MacNamara Faculty Fellowship, Stanford University (2000 - 2001)
  • Post-Doctoral Fellowship, The Dibner Institute for the History of Science and Technology (1998 - 1999)
  • Research Fellowship, Gonville and Cains College, Cambridge (1996 - 1999)
  • Professor, Department of Classics, Stanford University (2004 - Present)
  • Fellow, Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (2004 - 2005)
  • Associate Professor, Department of Classics, Stanford University (2003 - 2004)
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Classics, Stanford University (1999 - 2003)
  • Post-Doctoral Fellow, Dibner Institute for the History of Science and Technology, M.l.T. (1998 - 1999)
  • Research Fellow, Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge University (1996 - 1999)
  • Affiliated Lecturer, Faculty of Classics, Cambridge University (1997 - 1999)
  • Visiting Lecturer, Tel Aviv University (1996 - 1997)
  • Invited Lecturer, Cambridge University (1995 - 1997)

Honors & Awards

  • Neumann Prize, British Society for the History of Mathematics (BSHM) (2009)
  • Finalist, PEN Award, PEN Center USA (2005)
  • Runciman Award, Anglo-Hellenic League (2000)
  • Hellenic Foundation Prize, best U.K. dissertation on ancient science and philosophy, Hellenic Foundation (1998)
  • Writers and Scholars Prize, The President's Amos Foundation (1998)
  • Hare Prize, University of Cambridge (1997)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Editorial Board Member, Common Knowledge (2007)
  • Editorial Board Member, Historia Mathematica (2003 - 2009)
  • Visiting Member, Maison des Sciences de l'Homme, Paris (2002 - 2002)
  • Visiting Member, Maison des Sciences de I 'Homme, Paris (2000 - 2000)
  • Visiting Member, Maison des Sciences de I 'Homme, Paris (1996 - 1996)

Program Affiliations

  • Program in History & Philosophy of Science
  • Symbolic Systems Program

Professional Education

  • B.A., Tel Aviv University, Ancient History (1986)
  • M.A., Tel Aviv University, History and Philosophy of Science (1992)
  • Ph.D., Cambridge (Christ's College), Classics (1995)

Contact

  • Academic
    reviel.netz@stanford.edu
    University - Faculty Department: Classics Position: Professor
    • Main Quad Building 110
    • Stanford,  California  94305-2145 
    (650) 725-3801 (fax)

Additional Info

  • Mail Code: 2145

Links

2024-25 Courses

Stanford Advisees

All Publications

  • Response to Acerbi Aestimatio Netz, R. 2013: 68-70
  • Science in Syracuse: Archimedes in Place Classical Sicily: between Greece and Rome Netz, R., et al edited by Lyons, C., et al Getty Publications. 2013: 124–133
  • The Fifth Hammer: Pythagoras and the Disharmony of the World (Book Review) COMMON KNOWLEDGE Book Review Authored by: Netz, R. 2013; 19 (1): 138-139

    View details for DOI 10.1215/0961754X-1815872

    View details for Web of Science ID 000313297700017

  • Authorial Presence in the Ancient Exact Sciences Writing Science: Mathematical and Medical Authorship in Ancient Greece Netz, R. edited by Asper, M. 2013: 217–253
  • Barbed Wire: an Ecology of Modernity Netz, R. EUDEBA. 2013
  • The Texture of Archimedes' Writings: through Heiberg's Veil The History of Mathematical Proof in ancient Traditions Netz, R. edited by Chemla, K. Cambridge University Press. 2012: 163–205
  • The More it Changes... Reflections on the World Historical Role of Greek Mathematics Greek Science in the Long Run: Essays on the Greek Scientific Tradition Netz, R. edited by Gomez, P. O. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. 2012: 152–168
  • To the Problem of Translating Eugene One gin A.S. Pushkin / Eugene Onegin, a new Hebrew translation Netz, R. edited by Levithan, A. 2012: 205–215
  • The Archimedes Codex: Revealing the Secrets of the World's Greatest Palimpsest ARSIMET'in Elyazmalari Netz, R., Noel, W. Alfa. 2012
  • The Necessary: Music, and Mother Ho! Netz, R. 2012; 8
  • Reasoning and Symbolism in Diophantus The History of Mathematical Proof in ancient Traditions Netz, R., Chemla, K. Cambridge University Press. 2012: 327–361
  • Duel at Dawn: Heroes, Martyrs, and the Rise of Modern Mathematics (Book Review) COMMON KNOWLEDGE Book Review Authored by: Netz, R. 2011; 17 (3): 533-533

    View details for DOI 10.1215/0961754X-1305382

    View details for Web of Science ID 000294654400005

  • The Bibliosphere of Ancient Science (Outside of Alexandria) A Preliminary Survey NTM Netz, R. 2011; 19 (3): 239-269

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s00048-011-0057-2

    View details for Web of Science ID 000295681500002

    View details for PubMedID 21946891

  • The Archimedes Palimpsest Vol. I: Catalogue and Commentmy Netz, R., Noel, W., et al Cambridge University Press. 2011
  • The Archimedes Palimpsest Vol. II: Facsimile and Transcription Netz, R., Noel, W., et al Cambridge University Press. 2011
  • WHAT DID GREEK MATHEMATICIANS FIND BEAUTIFUL? CLASSICAL PHILOLOGY Netz, R. 2010; 105 (4): 426-444

    View details for Web of Science ID 000287786400010

  • The Transformation of Mathematics in the Early Mediterranean: from Problems to Equations Netz, R. Enalios. 2010
  • Review of The Artist and Mathematician Common Knowledge Netz, R., Aczel, A. 2010
  • Imagination and Layered Ontology in Greek Mathematics CONFIGURATIONS Netz, R. 2009; 17 (1-2): 19-50

    View details for Web of Science ID 000277912900002

  • The Archimedes Codex: Revealing the Secrets of the World's Greatest Palimpsest O Kodikas lou Archimede Netz, R., Noel, W. Alexandria. 2009
  • The Exact Sciences The Oxford Handbook of Hellenic Studies Netz, R., et al edited by Stones, B., et al 2009: 579–596
  • The Archimedes Codex: Revealing the Secrets of the World's Greatest Palimpsest Archimeduv Kodex Netz, R., Noel, W. Deus. 2009
  • Ludic Proof: Greek Mathematics and the Alexandrian Aesthetic Netz, R. Cambridge University Press. 2009
  • Positions of Stress: Essays on Israeli Literature Between Sound and History Netz, R., Arad, M. Achuzat Bayit. 2008
  • The Archimedes Codex: Revealing the Secrets of the World's Greatest Palimpsest Kaidoku! Arukimedesu shahon: yohishi kara yomigaetta tensai sugakusha netz, R., Noel, W. Kobunsha. 2008
  • The entries Archimedes, Apollonius Encyclopaedia of Ancient Natural Sciences Netz, R. 2008
  • The Archimedes Codex: Revealing the Secrets of the World's Greatest Palimpsest Le codex d'Archimede: Les secrets du manuscript le plus celebre de Ia science Netz, R., Noel, W. JC Lattes. 2008
  • The 'Archimedes codex' - Revealing the secrets of the world's greatest palimpsest (Book Review) TLS-THE TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT Book Review Authored by: Benedict-Nelson, A. 2007: 34-34

    View details for Web of Science ID 000250275200052

  • The Archimedes Codex: Revealing the Secrets of the World's Greatest Palimpsest Netz, R., Noel, W. Widenfeld and Nicholson. 2007
  • The Archimedes Codex: Revealing the Secrets of the World's Greatest Palimpsest Ha-Kodeks Shel Archimedes Netz, R., Noel, W. Yedioth Achronot. 2007
  • The Obscenity of Rhyme Ho! Netz, R. 2007; 5
  • The Archimedes Codex: Revealing the Secrets of the World's Greatest Palimpsest De Archimedes-Codex Netz, R., Noel, W. Polak & Van Gennep. 2007
  • The Archimedes Codex: Revealing the Secrets of the World's Greatest Palimpsest II Codice Perduto di Archimede. La storia di un libro ritrovato e dei suoi segreti matematici Netz, R., Noel, W. Rizzoli. 2007
  • The Archimedes Codex: Revealing the Secrets of the World's Greatest Palimpsest Kodeks Archimedes Tajemnice najslynniejszego palimpsestu swiata Netz, R., Noel, W. Magnum. 2007
  • The Archimedes Codex: Revealing the Secrets of the World's Greatest Palimpsest El Codigo de Arquimedes Netz, R., Noel, W. Temas de Hoy. 2007
  • The Archimedes Codex: Revealing the Secrets of the World's Greatest Palimpsest O Codex Arquimedes Netz, R., Noel, W. Edicoes 70. 2007
  • The Archimedes Codex: Revealing the Secrets of the World's Greatest Palimpsest The Archimedes Codex: How a Medieval Prayer Book is Revealing the True Genius of Antiquity's Greatest Scientist Netz, R., Noel, W. Da Capo. 2007
  • The Archimedes Codex: Revealing the Secrets of the World's Greatest Palimpsest Der Kodex des Archimedes: das berhümteste Palimpsest der Welt wird entschülsselt Netz, R., Noel, W. C.H. Beck. 2007
  • On a Generation that has Squandered its Poets Ho! Netz, R. 2006; 3: 172-191
  • Khayyam in Between Ho! Netz, R. 2006; 4: 197 - 202
  • Coiled, Together Mitaa'am Netz, R. 2006; 5: 95 - 108
  • The Carnival of Masks Ho! Netz, R., Arad, M. 2006; 4: 140 - 166
  • The aesthetics of mathematics: A study Meeting on Mathematics as Rational Activity Netz, R. SPRINGER. 2005: 251–293

    View details for Web of Science ID 000230449500009

  • The Limits of Text in Greek Mathematics History of Science, History of Text Netz, R. edited by Chemla, K. 2005: 161–176
  • Uniforms off: on New Verse Poetry Ho! Netz, R. 2005; 2: 116-140
  • Euclid's Data or The Importance of Being Given Classical Review Netz, R., Taisbak, C. M. 2005
  • Eudemus of Rhodes, Hippocrates of Chios and the Earliest Form of a Greek Mathematical Text Centaurus Netz, R. 2005: 243-286
  • The Pythagoreans Mathematics and Views of the Divine, a Historical Study Netz, R. edited by Bergmans, L., Koetsier, T. Elsevier: Amsterdam. 2005: 77–97
  • On Two Types of intertextuality Revue d'Histoire des Mathematiques Netz, R. 2005: 143-155
  • Towards a Reconstruction of Archimedes' Stomachion: Preliminary Evidence from the Archimedes Palimpsest Sciamvs Netz, R., Acerbi, F., Wilson, N. 2004: 67-99
  • Ancient Mathematics: some Ways of Re-Writing Science in Context Netz, R. 2004; 16: 275 - 286
  • The Transformation of Mathematics in the Early Mediterranean: from Problems to Equations Netz, R. Cambridge University Press. 2004
  • Archimedes: Translation and Commentary, with a Critical Edition of the Diagrams and a Translation of Eutocius' commentaries, Vol. 1: The Sphere and the Cylinder Netz, R. Cambridge University Press. 2004
  • How Propositions Begin: towards an Interpretation of Hupothesis in Plato's Divided Line Hyperboreus Netz, R. 2004: 295-317
  • On Reading Alterman (that is, on Pasternak) Ho! Netz, R. 2004; 1: 192-217
  • The Goal of Archimedes' Sand-Reckoner Apeiron Netz, R. 2004: 251-290
  • Review of G. E. R. Lloyd, Ancient Worlds, Modern Reflections Times Literary Supplement Netz, R. 2004
  • A Century of Greek Mathematics: Classics in Twentieth Century Historiography edited by Netz, R., Christianidis, J., et al Kluwer. 2004
  • Barbed Wire: an Ecology of Modernity Netz, R. Wesleyan University Press. 2004
  • Plato's mathematical construction CLASSICAL QUARTERLY Netz, R. 2003; 53 (2): 500-509

    View details for Web of Science ID 000187963900014

  • The Size of the Sign: where Phonology Meets Lexical Semantics Glow Newsletter Netz, R., Arad, M. 2003
  • It's not that they couldn't Revue d'Histoire des Mathematiques Netz, R. 2003; 8: 263-289
  • Proof, amazement, and the unexpected SCIENCE Netz, R. 2002; 298 (5595): 967-968

    View details for Web of Science ID 000178932000033

  • Counter culture: Towards a history of Greek numeracy HISTORY OF SCIENCE Netz, R. 2002; 40 (129): 321-352

    View details for Web of Science ID 000177874700003

  • Did Plato have a Philosophy of Science? An Essay-Review on Andrew Gregory: Plato's Philosophy of Science Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy Netz, R. 2002; 23: 247 - 263
  • How does a Geometrical Problem become a Cubic Equation Farhang Netz, R. 2002; 14: 221-259
  • Greek Mathematicians: a Group Picture Science and Mathematics in Greek Cultureed Netz, R., Rihll, T., Tuplin, C. Oxford University Press. 2002: 196–216
  • A New Reading of Archimedes' Use of Indivisibles: Preliminary Evidence from the Archimedes Palimpsest, part 2 Sciamus Netz, R., Saito, K., Tchernetska, N. 2002; 3: I 09-125
  • Collections of confinement: Thoughts on Barbed Wire Connect: Art-Politics-Theory Practice Netz, R. 2002; 4: 15 - 22
  • On the Aristotelian paragraph PCPS-PROCEEDINGS OF THE CAMBRIDGE PHILOLOGICAL SOCIETY Netz, R. 2001: 211-232

    View details for Web of Science ID 000173393300012

  • Archimedes and Mar Saba: a Preliminary Notice The Sabaite Heritage: The Sabaite Factor in the Orthodox Church: Monastic life, Liturgy, Theology, Literature, Art and Archaeology Netz, R. edited by Parich, J. 2001: 195–199
  • Review of Lucio Russo, La Rivoluzione Dimenticata Historia Mathematica Netz, R. 2001; 29: 72 - 73
  • A New Reading of Archimedes' Use of Indivisibles: Preliminary Evidence from the Archimedes Palimpses, part 1 Sciamus Netz, R., Saito, K., Tchernetska, N. 2001; 2: 9 - 29
  • The origins of mathematical physics: New light on an old question PHYSICS TODAY Netz, R. 2000; 53 (6): 32-37

    View details for Web of Science ID 000087339400009

  • The sections on Greek Geometry Enciclopedia Italiana della Storia della scienza Netz, R. 2000: 756–800
  • La Construction d 'un Ideal Les Cahiers des Sciences & Vie Netz, R. 2000
  • Ancient sources for the study of Science Endeavour Netz, R. 2000; 24: 53 - 54
  • Barbed Wire London Review of Books Netz, R. 2000; 22 (14): 30 - 35
  • Why did Greek Mathematicians Publish their Analyses? Memorial Volume for Wilbur Knorr Netz, R. edited by Mandel, H., Moravcsik, J., Suppes, P. 2000: 139–157
  • Linguistic Formulae as Cognitive Tools (tr. Into Japanese) Gendai Shiso (Revue de Ia Pensee d'aujourd'hui) Netz, R. 2000; 28: 135-147
  • Insight from Oversight: an Essay-Review on Jaap Mansfeld: Prolegomena Mathematica Apeiron Netz, R. 2000; 33: 171-179
  • Why did Greek Mathematicians Publish their Analyses Memorial Volume for Wilbur Knorr Netz, R. edited by Mandel, H., Moravcsik, J., Suppes, P. 2000: 139–157
  • The Shaping of Deduction in Greek Mathematics: A Study in Cognitive History Netz, R. Cambridge University Press. 1999
  • Linguistic Formulae as Cognitive Tools Pragmatics and Cognition Netz, R. 1999; 7: 147 - 176
  • Deuteronomic Texts: Late Antiquity and the History of Mathematics Revue d'Histoire des Mathetmatiques Netz, R. 1999; 4: 261-288
  • Proclus' division of the mathematical proposition into parts: How and why was it formulated? CLASSICAL QUARTERLY Netz, R. 1999; 49 (1): 282-303

    View details for Web of Science ID 000081023000018

  • Synthesising Aristotelian Science Classical Review Netz, R. 1999; 49: 117 - 120
  • Adayin bahuc Shufra Netz, R. 1999
  • Greek Diagrams: their Use and Their Meaning For the Learning of Mathematics Netz, R. 1998: 33 - 39
  • The First Jewish Scientist Scripta Classica lsraelica Netz, R. 1998; 17: 27 - 33
  • Archimedes Transformed: the Case of A Result Stating a Maximum for a Cubic Equation Archive for History of Exact Sciences Netz, R. 1998; 54: 1 - 47
  • On a Certain Sense of Historiographical Unease: an Essay-Review on Catherine Goldetein: Un theoreme de Fermat et ses lecteurs Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Netz, R. 1998; 29: 491 - 499
  • Classical Mathematics in the Classical Mediterranean Mediterranean Historical Review Netz, R. 1997; 12: 1 - 24
  • Sokrates ve-hasministim Metaphora Netz, R. 1990