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Ancient Mathematics book cover

1st Edition

Ancient Mathematics

By Serafina Cuomo Copyright 2002
    304 Pages
    by Routledge

    304 Pages
    by Routledge

    304 Pages
    by Routledge
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    The theorem of Pythagoras, Euclid's "Elements", Archimedes' method to find the volume of a sphere: all parts of the invaluable legacy of ancient mathematics. But ancient mathematics was also about counting and measuring, surveying land and attributing mystical significance to the number six.
    This volume offers the first accessible survey of the discipline in all its variety and diversity of practices. The period covered ranges from the fifth century BC to the sixth century AD, with the focus on the Mediterranean region. Topics include:
    * mathematics and politics in classical Greece
    * the formation of mathematical traditions
    * the self-image of mathematicians in the Graeco-Roman period
    * mathematics and Christianity
    * and the use of the mathematical past in late antiquity.

    Abbreviations. Map. Introduction. 1. Early Greek Mathematics: The Evidence 1.1. Materila Evidence 1.2 .Historians, Playwrights and Lawyers 1.3. Plato 1.4. Aristotle 2. Early Greek Mathematics; The Questions 2.1. The Problem of Political Mathematics 3. Hellenistic Mathematics: The Evidence 3.1. Material Evidence 3.2. Non-Mathematical Authors - The Rest of the World 3.3. Non-Mathematical Authors - The Philosophers 3.4. Little People 3.5. Euclid 3.6. Archimedes 3.7. Apollonius 4. Hellenistic Mathematics: The Questions 4.1. The Problem of the Real Euclid 4.2. The Problem of the Birth of a Mathematical Community 5. Graeco-Roman Mathematics: The Evidence 5.1. Material Evidence 5.2 Vitruvius 5.3. Hero 5.4. The Other Romans 5.5. The Other Greeks 6. Graeco-Roman Mathematics: The Questions 6.1. The Problem of Greek vs. Roman Mathematics 6.2. The Problem of Pure vs. Applied Mathematics 7. Late Ancient Mathematics: The Evidence 7.1. Material Evidence 7.2. Diophantus 7.3. Pappus 7.4. Eutocius 7.5. The Philosophers 7.6. The Rest of the World 8. Late Ancient Mathematics: The Questions 8.1. The Problem of Divine Mathematics 8.2. The Problem of Ancient Histories of Ancient Mathematics Glossary. Bibliography.

    Biography

    Serafina Cuomo

    'Nicely written, expertly researched.' - Times Literary Supplement

    'Ancient Mathematics provides a rich and diverse picture of mathematics in ancient Greece and Rome. With C. history of mathematics sheds its ahistoricity and gets its hands dirty.' - Journal of Roman Studies

    'This book is engagingly written; and it is a pleasure to entrust oneself to Cuomo's choices.' - Aestimatio: Critical Reviews in the History of Science

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