Pioneers of Prehistorical Ideas
The ancient Greeks played an important role in shaping early philosophical and scientific thought. Their inquiries into the nature of the Earth, the heavens, and the forces governing them laid the foundation for later advancements in geography, astronomy, and natural sciences. Some of the most influential Greek thinkers in this regard include:
- Homer – Legendary poet and storyteller.
- Thales of Miletus – Early philosopher, traveller, and mathematician.
- Anaximander – Introduced cartographic and astronomical tools.
- Heraclitus – Known for his philosophy of change.
- Herodotus – The “Father of History” with geographical insights.
- Alexander the Great – His conquests expanded geographical knowledge.
- Eratosthenes – Accurately measured Earth’s circumference.
- Hipparchus – Made significant contributions to astronomy and geography.
Homer (c. 8th Century B.C.)
Homer is regarded as one of the greatest Greek poets. His epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, provide a legendary account of the Trojan War (c. 1280–1180 B.C.) and its aftermath. While primarily literary works, they also reflect early Greek ideas about geography, cosmology, and natural phenomena.
Homer’s Description of the Earth
- He envisioned the Earth as cylindrical in shape.
- It was surrounded on all sides by a great river called Oceanus (Ocean River).
- The sky was perceived as a solid, concave dome resting on tall pillars, supported by the Atlas Mountains.
- The Sun was believed to rise from the Ocean, travel across the sky, and sink back into the Ocean at the end of the day.
- The stars were thought to follow the same daily course.
The Four Winds According to Homer
Homer classified the winds into four principal directions:
- Boreas – The cold North wind.
- Eurus – The East wind.
- Notus – The warm South wind.
- Zephyrus – The West wind, often bringing storms.
Thales of Miletus (c. 624–546 B.C.)
Thales of Miletus was a philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer, often credited as the first Greek thinker to explore natural phenomena through reasoning rather than mythology.
His Contributions
- Considered the first Greek philosopher, traveller, and scientific thinker.
- Initiated the measurement of Earth’s surface and attempted to locate geographical features.
- Inspired by Egyptian mathematics, he applied logical arguments to solve problems in geometry and trigonometry.
- Also a practical businessman, engaging in trade and commerce.
Remarkable Achievements
- Proposed a cosmological model based on water as the fundamental essence of all matter.
- Accurately predicted a solar eclipse on May 28, 585 B.C., an extraordinary achievement for his time.
Anaximander (c. 610–546 B.C.)
A disciple of Thales, Anaximander extended his mentor’s ideas and introduced significant advancements in astronomy, cartography, and instrumentation.
- Introduced the gnomon, a Babylonian instrument similar to a sundial, to Greek science.
- Created one of the earliest known world maps, drawn to scale, with Greece at the centre.
- Proposed that the Earth was a free-floating body in space, rather than resting on a solid foundation.
🔹 Note: Before Anaximander, the Sumerians (c. 2700 B.C.) had drawn a pictorial representation of some of their cities, marking an early attempt at mapping.
Thales & Anaximander – Founders of Mathematical Geography
Both Thales and Anaximander are generally recognized as the founders of mathematical geography. Their efforts in measurement, mapping, and geometric reasoning laid the groundwork for later Greek geographers and astronomers.
Hecataeus of Miletus (c. 550–476 B.C.)
Hecataeus was a resident of Miletus and one of the earliest Greek geographers.
- Wrote Ges Periodos (Travels Around the Earth), which provided the first systematic description of the world based on available knowledge.
- His work included descriptions of different regions, cultures, and peoples.
- Due to his efforts in organizing geographical knowledge, he is often called the “Father of Geography”.
- Hecataeus is also credited with improving the map of Anaximanderof, which he saw as a disc encircled by Oceanus.
Herodotus (c. 485–425 B.C.)
Herodotus, often regarded as the “Father of History”, also made significant contributions to geography.
- He strongly believed that “All history must be treated geographically, and all geography must be treated historically.”
- His historical accounts provide valuable insights into the geographical knowledge of his time, including descriptions of Egypt, Persia, and other ancient civilizations.
Eratosthenes (c. 276–194 B.C.)
Eratosthenes is often considered the first scientific geographer due to his accurate measurements and systematic approach.
- Measured the circumference of the Earth with remarkable accuracy, earning the title “Chief of Geometers”.
- Developed a system of coordinates based on latitude and longitude, greatly improving cartography.
- Served as Chief Librarian of the Library of Alexandria, the highest academic position of the time.
- Attempted to construct a scientific world map.
- Had an incorrect understanding of India’s geographical position, but his knowledge of the Nile River system was highly accurate.
Hipparchus (c. 190–120 B.C.)
Hipparchus was an astronomer and mathematician whose contributions greatly advanced Greek astronomy and geography.
- Discovered and explained the precession of the equinoxes.
- Accurately calculated the length of the year, refining earlier estimates.
- Divided a circle into 360°, an essential concept in geometry and navigation.
- Invented the astrolabe, an early instrument for determining latitude and longitude.
- Created a stellar catalogue (129 B.C.) listing 850 stars and classifying them by six levels of brightness (magnitude system).
- Developed methods to convert a three-dimensional sphere (Earth) into two-dimensional maps (planar projections).
- Succeeded Eratosthenes as the Chief Librarian of Alexandria in 140 B.C.
Posidonius (c. 135–51 B.C.)
Posidonius made key contributions to geography and Earth sciences, though some of his ideas were later proven incorrect.
- Incorrect Estimate of Earth’s Circumference – His estimate was significantly smaller than Eratosthenes’ calculation, yet it was widely accepted for centuries.
- Theory on Equatorial Habitability – Unlike many of his contemporaries, he argued that equatorial regions were habitable, challenging the belief that they were too hot for human life.