Hostname: page-component-7b7567c8c-fvjsw Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-15T11:59:49.318Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

III. Mathematics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 February 2016

Get access

Extract

Mathematics probably ranks as the Greeks’ greatest achievement, in the eyes of many modern scientists. And amongst the general public it is fair to say that some Greek mathematicians are better known than any other figures from antiquity, with the possible exception of Alexander the Great. For example, Pythagoras, Euclid, and Archimedes are household names two thousand years after they lived and wrote their mathematics. The Greek alphabet, or some of it anyway, is widely known today because modern mathematics uses it by preference for symbols. For example, α, β, and θ for angles, the amazing π, Σ as the summation sign, and the χ-square test. The Greeks gave us ‘square’ and ‘cube’ numbers, e.g. 22 and 33. ‘Squaring the circle’ is modern English idiom for an impossible task – the original task, set by the Greeks, being the mathematical problem of constructing a square with the same area as a given circle. Aristophanes mentions this problem. Famously, Plato forbade the geometrically-challenged to enter his Academy. He also found mathematically interesting numbers for his ideal Republic. Greek mathematical texts are rich in mathematical concepts, methods, and results. Like Greek plays, they contain timeless insights and truths. Also like literary works they require analysis and interpretation.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Classical Association 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable