Eratosthenes and the Measurement of the Earth's Circumference (c.230 BC)
Eratosthenes and the Measurement of the Earth's Circumference (c.230 BC) is an innovative and thought-provoking examination of one of the pivotal moments in the history of science.

This text analyses a debate that has been going on for more than 2,300 years over the accuracy of Eratosthenes' experiment and calculations and puts to rest all prior theories that have come before. This work engages with this long running debate by applying innovative and multi-disciplinary methods such as linguistic analysis, mathematical modelling, satellite mapping, archaeological investigation and historical examination that creates the first ever combined exploration of this important event in the history of astronomy.
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Eratosthenes and the Measurement of the Earth's Circumference (c.230 BC)
Eratosthenes and the Measurement of the Earth's Circumference (c.230 BC) is an innovative and thought-provoking examination of one of the pivotal moments in the history of science.

This text analyses a debate that has been going on for more than 2,300 years over the accuracy of Eratosthenes' experiment and calculations and puts to rest all prior theories that have come before. This work engages with this long running debate by applying innovative and multi-disciplinary methods such as linguistic analysis, mathematical modelling, satellite mapping, archaeological investigation and historical examination that creates the first ever combined exploration of this important event in the history of astronomy.
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Eratosthenes and the Measurement of the Earth's Circumference (c.230 BC)

Eratosthenes and the Measurement of the Earth's Circumference (c.230 BC)

by Christopher A. Matthew
Eratosthenes and the Measurement of the Earth's Circumference (c.230 BC)

Eratosthenes and the Measurement of the Earth's Circumference (c.230 BC)

by Christopher A. Matthew

Overview

Eratosthenes and the Measurement of the Earth's Circumference (c.230 BC) is an innovative and thought-provoking examination of one of the pivotal moments in the history of science.

This text analyses a debate that has been going on for more than 2,300 years over the accuracy of Eratosthenes' experiment and calculations and puts to rest all prior theories that have come before. This work engages with this long running debate by applying innovative and multi-disciplinary methods such as linguistic analysis, mathematical modelling, satellite mapping, archaeological investigation and historical examination that creates the first ever combined exploration of this important event in the history of astronomy.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780198874294
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication date: 10/31/2023
Pages: 352
Product dimensions: 9.10(w) x 6.60(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Christopher A. Matthew, Lecturer (Ancient History) - Australian Catholic University

Christopher Matthew is a lecturer in ancient history at the Australian Catholic University in Sydney, also teaching courses on the Greek City States, the Roman Republic, Pompeii, Ancient Greek Drama and the Ancient Near East. He is leading researcher in the study of ancient warfare and his research has been recognised both nationally and internationally.

Table of Contents

AcknowledgementsContentsAbbreviationsIllustrationsTablesPrefaceSection 1: Historical Background1.1. The Sources1.2. Eratosthenes, the man1.3. Alexandria1.4. Greek astronomical thought before the time of EratosthenesSection 2: The Experiment2.1. Eratosthenes' experiment2.2. Eratosthenes' sundial2.3. Time and the solstices in Ancient Eygpt and Greece2.4. Ancient Eygptian and Greek sundials to the time of Eratosthenes2.5. A replica of Eratosthenes' skapheSection 3: The Analysis3.1. The angle3.2. Errors in Eratosthenes' methodology3.2.1 The effect of Syene and Alexandria not sitting on the same Longtitudinal Meridian3.2.2 The effect of Syene not sitting on the Tropic of Cancer3.2.3 The effect of the oblateness of the Earth3.2.4 The effect of non-parallel rays of light from the sun3.2.5 The effect of the components of the shadow3.2.6 The effect of the Earth's rotation3.2.7 The effect of atmospheric refraction3.2.8 The effect of operational and Instrumental error3.2.9 The total effect of the errorsSection 4: The Stade4.1. The size of the stade4.2. Previous estimates of the size of Eratosthenes' stadeSection 5: The Re-examination5.1. Eratosthenes and the 180m stade5.1.1 Caspian Gates to Hecatompylos5.1.2 Hecatompylos to Alexandria Aerion5.1.3 Alexandria Aerion to Prophthasia5.1.4 Prophthasia to Arachoti Polis5.1.5 Arachoti Polis to Hortospana5.1.6 Alexandria Aerion to Bactra-Zariaspa5.1.7 Alexandria to Syene5.2. The 180m Stade and the circumference of the EarthSection 6: The Circumference6.1. The Accuracy of Eratosthenes' Circumference6.2. Eratosthenes' legacyReferencesAncient and medieval sourcesModern sourcesElectronic sources
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