The Greeks

Abstract

The Greeks developed the first scientific system that has stood the test of time. Along the way they solved many mechanics problems. Their tradition of writing began with Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey and was followed by the historical works of Herodotus. This tradition led to additional writings by Thucydides and others. By the sixth century BCE a scientific tradition was well underway. Principle developers of mechanics included Thales, Pythagoras, Democritus, Aristotle, Euclid, Aristarchus, Archimedes, Eratosthenes, Hipparchus, and Claudius Ptolemy. Their achievements paved the way for the Romans, who made ample use of Greek science, especially mechanics.

If thou art able, O stranger, to find out all these things and gather them together in your mind, giving all the relations, thou shalt depart crowned with glory and knowing that thou hast been adjudged perfect in this species of wisdom.

Archimedes (c. 287–212 BCE)