Cambridge University Press eBooks· 2013
A History of Greek Mathematics
- 574citations
- 2013year
Short summary
This work provides a rigorous exposition of ancient Greek mathematics, detailing methodologies for modern mathematicians and explanations for classicists.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Covers Greek mathematics from Thales (6th century BCE) to Euclid.
- Details ancient methodologies for modern mathematicians.
- Includes explanatory sections for classicists.
- Touches on the conditions enabling early Greek philosophy and science.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
'If one would understand the Greek genius fully, it would be a good plan to begin with their geometry.' As early as the sixth century BCE, Thales of Miletus used geometrical principles to calculate distance and height. Within a few hundred years, Euclid had produced his seminal Elements, which was still used as a textbook when this two-volume work was first published in 1921. A distinguished civil servant as well as an expert on ancient Greek mathematics, Sir Thomas Little Heath (1861–1940) includes here sufficient detail for a modern mathematician to grasp ancient methodology, alongside explanatory sections aimed at classicists. This remains a rigorous and essential exposition of a vast topic. Volume 1 includes an introduction that touches on the conditions which made possible the rapid development of philosophy and science in ancient Greece. The coverage begins with Thales and ends with Euclid.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Cambridge University Press eBooks, 2013 · DOI ↗
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Field: Theoretical Computer Science
Theoretical Computer ScienceMathematics