Syntagma tōn tessarōn mathēmatōn

work by Pachymeres

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July 14, 2026

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The Syntagma tōn tessarōn mathēmatōn (Compendium of Four Mathematics) was a work by George Pachymeres, a 13th-century Byzantine scholar. This text served as a classical handbook covering mathematics, music, geometry, and astronomy. It was notable for its innovative use of Arabic numerals and became a standard academic text within Greek Byzantine culture. Pachymeres' lectures at the patriarchal academy in Constantinople evolved into this comprehensive work. While Pappus of Alexandria also compiled a significant mathematical work titled Synagoge (Collection), Pachymeres' Syntagma is distinct in its focus and historical context within Byzantine scholarship.12

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George Pachymeres
…Constantinople’s academy evolved into the Syntagma tōn tessarōn mathēmatōn (“Compendium of Four Mathematics”), a type of classical handbook on mathematics, music, geometry, and astronomy. The Syntagma, with its innovative use of Arabic numbers, became the standard academic text in Greek Byzantine culture.
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…Constantinople’s academy evolved into the Syntagma tōn tessarōn mathēmatōn (“Compendium of Four Mathematics”), a type of classical handbook on mathematics, music, geometry, and astronomy. The Syntagma, with its innovative use of Arabic numbers, became the standard academic text in Greek Byzantine culture.
Read More