Geometric Problems of Antiquity
The Greek problems of antiquity were a set of geometric problems whose solution was sought using only compass and straightedge:
1. circle squaring.
2. cube duplication.
3. angle trisection.
Only in modern times, more than 
years after
they were formulated, were all three ancient problems proved insoluble using only
compass and straightedge.
Another ancient geometric problem not proved impossible until 1997 is Alhazen's billiard problem. As Ogilvy (1990) points out, constructing the general regular polyhedron was really a "fourth" unsolved problem of antiquity.
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circle squaring
