GREEK SCIENCE                                                                                                            back to Greece

As told before, the Greeks didn't separate natural science from other knowledge.  To them, the pursuit of all knowledge was Philosophy The logical inquiring minds of the  Greeks added a great deal to man's knowledge about the earth and the universe. They explained many principles which once understood gave man the possibility of understanding much more. 

    They were particularity good at the theoretical branches of science, but not so good at the branches which required  precise measurements. (They lacked our precision instruments)

     A. Mathematics:

  - their number system was at first clumsy, but they improved it as they went along

  - Euclid: the "Father of Geometry" collected and published everything known in this field of study.

  -Archimedes: he produced formulas for working with all shapes, which  included the circle

  - Hipparchus: "Father of Trigonometry" - he invented this branch of math to help with his work in astronomy

   B. Chemistry:

  - they made little or no progress in this field (how can you understand things if you can’t see them (atoms)? You need a microscope.

  C. Physics: (how things work such as electricity)

  - The "Father  of Physics" was undoubtedly Archimedes, a brilliant native of Syracuse.

  - He is most famous for formulating "Archimedes Principle", the law of floating bodies (displacement) which
     led to the idea of specific gravity.

  - he also did much useful work with levers, pulleys, cogged wheels, catapults and cranes.

  - Democratus stated the world’s first atomic theory. He believed that all matter is composed of material that
     is so small that they cannot be divided.

  D. Astronomy:

  - a number of Greek scientists knew the earth was spherical

  - Distarchus of Samos:  he knew that the earth and other planets revolved around the sun. Other scientists
    didn't like to state this belief because it was so dangerous and unpopular at the time.

  - Hipparchus: he calculated the solar year to be 365 1/4 days minus a few minutes. He was six minutes off
    the exact calculation.
  - His calculation of the lunar month was less than one second off.  His estimation of the earth's distance from
   
the moon was only off by 5%.

  - Eratopthenes: he calculated the circumference of the earth and also caused most of the known world to be
    mapped.

  - Hipparchus:  Designed a method of finding position on the earth by lines of latitude and longitude.

  E. Medicine:                                                  

  - In general, Greek doctors were not as advanced as those from other areas such as Egypt

  - In early times, medicine was associated with religion and superstition

  - Hippocrates: is known as the "Father of Medicine", he understood that disease had natural causes (not
    supernatural) and should be cured by natural means

  - he recommended good eating habits, and exercise as a means of preventing disease

  - he recommended that doctors should follow a logical and scientific sequence with their patients - examination,
    diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and follow-up.

  - he is best known however for the "Hippocratic Oath" which set standards for doctors, so much that today’s
    doctors still are required to take the oath