Eratosthenes of Cyrene was a Greek polymath known for his precise calculation of the Earth's circumference and his role as the chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria. His contributions spanned geography, where he introduced latitude and longitude, and mathematics, with the creation of the sieve of Eratosthenes for identifying prime numbers. He also made strides in scientific chronology and produced a variety of literary works. His legacy endures as a foundational figure in several scientific disciplines.
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Eratosthenes was born and raised in the Hellenistic city of Cyrene, now part of modern-day Libya, where he received a comprehensive education at the local gymnasium
Influential teachers
During his time in Athens, Eratosthenes studied under prominent philosophers and scholars, including Zeno of Citium and Aristo of Chios
Wide-ranging interests
Eratosthenes' studies in Athens also included exploring poetry with the poet-scholar Callimachus, reflecting his diverse interests and thirst for knowledge
Eratosthenes made groundbreaking contributions to geography and mathematics, including calculating the circumference of the Earth and developing the sieve of Eratosthenes
Eratosthenes' academic achievements led to his appointment as the chief librarian of the Library of Alexandria, the preeminent center of knowledge in the ancient world
As head librarian, Eratosthenes was responsible for acquiring and preserving texts, as well as tutoring the royal family, providing him unparalleled access to scholarly resources
His role at the library greatly contributed to his research and writings, including his seminal work "Geography" and his diverse literary contributions
Eratosthenes used historical records to date events such as the Trojan War, establishing himself as a pioneer of scientific chronology
Poetry
Eratosthenes' literary works included poetry such as "Hermes" and "Erigone."
Scholarly texts
He also wrote scholarly texts, including "Chronographies" and "Olympic Victors," showcasing his extensive knowledge and impact on multiple disciplines
In his final years, Eratosthenes became blind, greatly affecting his ability to engage in scholarly work
At the age of 82, Eratosthenes decided to end his life through voluntary starvation
Despite being criticized by some contemporaries, Eratosthenes' legacy as a polymath and foundational figure in several scientific areas remains intact, earning him the nickname "Pentathlos."
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Birthplace and time of Eratosthenes
Born circa 276 BCE, Cyrene, Hellenistic city, now modern-day Libya.
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Eratosthenes' contributions to disciplines
Greek scholar, worked in various fields including geography, mathematics, astronomy, and poetry.
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Eratosthenes' educational journey post-Cyrene
Traveled to Athens for advanced studies, learned from philosophers like Zeno of Citium and Aristo of Chios.
