Damianus

Damianus Heliodori (=son of Heliodorus) of Larissa is the author of an introductory work on optics, probably associated with one of the late Neoplatonist institutions of learning (5th/6th century), and perhaps a follower of Ammonius Hermiae in particular. He is not to be confused with Domninus of Larissa.

A less than satisfactory edition with German translation of the Optical Hypotheses was made by Schöne 1897; a new edition with Italian translation is under preparation by Fabio Acerbi. The Hypotheses were transmitted as part of the prefatory materials to Euclid’s Optics.

Literature

Fabio Acerbi, “Damianus of Larissa”, in: N. Koertge (ed.), New Dictionary of Scientific Biography, 2008, pp. 233-234. [Includes an excellent bibliography.]

Richard Schöne, Damianos Schrift über Optik: Mit Auszügen aus Geminos, Reichsdruckerei 1897.