ABSTRACT
Defining the ‘scientific’ book is a problem faced by all of the authors of this volume. In part the problem is due to the changing understanding, by modern practitioners, historians and philosophers, of what constitutes science. But also, the term ‘scientist’ is modern;2 arguably, there is no exact analogue in other periods to that professional label. Indeed, historians, philosophers, sociologists and others who study the scientific enterprise have been much occupied by issues of definition. Although such issues cannot be addressed here, they must be acknowledged. Nevertheless, there are a number of ancient authors and texts which few, if any, historians would question as being properly included in the study of the history of science.
