Thales of Miletus

Dietmar Herrmann ()

Chapter Chapter 3 in Ancient Mathematics, 2022, pp 27-35 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Thales of MiletusThales of Miletus (Θαλῆς ὁ Μιλήσιος) (640–546 BC) is the first known philosopher and mathematician (Fig. 3.1). According to Diogenes LaertiusDiogenes Laertius [I, 22], he was a merchant, so he also came to Egypt on his business trips, where he learned Egyptian mathematics from the priests (Fig. 3.2). According to Plutarch, he soon surpassed his teachers and, to the surprise of Pharaoh Ahmose II (570–526 BC), Greek AmasisAmasis, he determined the height of the pyramids using a stick (gnomon) by comparing the lengths of the shadows (Fig. 3.3).

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-66494-0_3

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