Mechanics and Mathematics in Ancient Greece

Danilo Capecchi; Giuseppe Ruta

doi:10.3390/encyclopedia2010010

Encyclopedia (Jan 2022)

Mechanics and Mathematics in Ancient Greece

Danilo Capecchi,
Giuseppe Ruta

Affiliations

Danilo Capecchi: Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, University “La Sapienza”, I-00184 Rome, Italy
Giuseppe Ruta: Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, University “La Sapienza”, I-00184 Rome, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia2010010
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 2, no. 1
pp. 140 – 150

Abstract

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This entry presents an overview on how mechanics in Greece was linked to geometry. In ancient Greece, mechanics was about lifting heavy bodies, and mathematics almost coincided with geometry. Mathematics interconnected with mechanics at least from the 5th century BCE and became dominant in the Hellenistic period. The contributions by thinkers such as Aristotle, Euclid, and Archytas on fundamental problems such as that of the lever are sketched. This entry can be the starting point for a deeper investigation on the connections of the two disciplines through the ages until our present day.

Published in Encyclopedia

ISSN: 2673-8392 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/encyclopedia

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