The definitions of fundamental geometric entities contained in book I of Euclid's Elements (Q1385175): Difference between revisions

The thesis is sustained that the first seven definitions of Book I of the Elements of Euclid actually are excerpts from the Definitions attributed to Heron of Alexandria, interpolated in late antiquity into Euclid's treatise. If this thesis should be right at all, the question rises, whether or not the attribution of the Definitions to Heron of Alexandria is right. This attribution was recently doubted by \textit{W. R. Knorr} [Arithmêtikê stoicheiôsis: On Diophantus and Hero of Alexandria, Hist. Math. 20, No. 2, 180-192 (1993; Zbl 0776.01001)].