ARCHITECT

Work
Eupalinus, son of Naustrophus, was a celebrated architect and engineer, best known for the remarkable tunnel he built on the island of Samos in 520 BC as part of a new water supply system for the capital city. This tunnel, which was 1.75 x 1.75 metres in cross-section and just over one kilometre long, carried the main aqueduct through Mount Ambelos. This magnificent piece of engineering, which was discovered during the course of excavations in the area at the end of the 19th century, is considered a truly extraordinary feat, particularly given the means available at that time. The tunnel was dug simultaneously from both ends, and met in the middle. Eupalinus both correctly applied his geometric calculations and laid the line out correctly on the ground. Two teams of labourers, working from either end, took ten years to complete the work, and they met almost exactly where they were supposed to. This work has made Eupalinus famous, for even today the engineering study and the technical construction required are considered difficult. The project was commissioned by the ruler of the island, Polycrates, as part of an ambitious programme of public works that included the city walls and the pier in the harbour of Pythagorio, upon which the modern pier has been built. This tunnel fascinated many people, including Hero of Alexandria who, in the 1st century of our era, demonstrated (in his "Dioptra") just how the tunnel was designed and built. Eupalinus, who also built the Megara Aqueduct and the Fountain of Theagenes, is cited by Herodotus.