Introduction to Arithmetic

work by Nicomachus

Also known as: “Arithmētikē eisagōgē”

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June 29, 2026

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Nicomachus of Gerasa, a Neo-Pythagorean philosopher and mathematician who flourished around 100 CE, authored Introduction to Arithmetic. This influential treatise on number theory was considered a standard authority for a millennium. The book details elementary number theory and properties, including the earliest known Greek multiplication table. Nicomachus explored philosophical aspects of whole numbers, classifications of even and odd numbers, and curious properties like "perfect numbers" (e.g., 6) and "amicable numbers" (e.g., 220 and 284). Unlike Euclid, Nicomachus focused on specific numerical examples rather than abstract proofs. His work, translated into Latin by Boethius, was used in schools until the Renaissance.12

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Nicomachus of Gerasa
…who wrote Arithmētikē eisagōgē (Introduction to Arithmetic), an influential treatise on number theory. Considered a standard authority for 1,000 years, the book sets out the elementary theory and properties of numbers and contains the earliest-known Greek multiplication table.
Read More
…who wrote Arithmētikē eisagōgē (Introduction to Arithmetic), an influential treatise on number theory. Considered a standard authority for 1,000 years, the book sets out the elementary theory and properties of numbers and contains the earliest-known Greek multiplication table.
Read More