Euler and mathematical methods in mechanics (on the 300th anniversary of the birth of Leonhard Euler)

This article concerns the life of Leonhard Euler and his achievements in theoretical mechanics. A number of topics are discussed related to the development of Euler's ideas and methods: divergent series and asymptotics of solutions of non-linear differential equations; the hydrodynamics of a perfect fluid and Hamiltonian systems; vortex theory for systems on Lie groups with left-invariant kinetic energy; energy criteria of stability; Euler's problem of two gravitating centres in curved spaces.