The Exact Sciences in Antiquity

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Based on lectures from 1949 at Cornell University, this work offers a non-technical overview of Egyptian and Babylonian mathematics and astronomy, detailing their influence on the Hellenistic world. It highlights the unexpected sophistication of early science, particularly in Babylonian mathematics. The text contrasts the Egyptian additive computation methods using unit fractions with Babylonian place value systems. It explores Babylonian numerical tables, approximations of the square root of 2, Pythagorean numbers, quadratic equations, and various algebraic and geometric cases, revealing a level of mathematical advancement comparable to early Renaissance Europe, unlike the more primitive Egyptian mathematics. In astronomy, the author discusses a surprising level of sophistication, attributing it to a competent mathematical framework rather than merely centuries of observations. The transmission of this early science into Hellenistic culture is also examined, along with an appendix on Greek astronomy and the influences on the Copernican system. Renowned for his contributions to premodern science, the author presents a unique, accessible survey that benefits anyone interested in the history of science and culture. This is an unabridged, slightly corrected reprint of the 1957 edition, featuring 14 plates and 52 figures.