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CleomedesAncient Greek astronomer and Stoic philosopher
Date of Birth: .
Country:  Greece |
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Cleomedes
Cleomedes was an ancient Greek astronomer and Stoic philosopher known for his only surviving work, "On the Rotation of the Heavenly Bodies."
Birth and Life
The exact dates of Cleomedes' life are uncertain. He is often placed in the second half of the 1st century CE based on his book's numerous references to Posidonius (1st century BCE) and the absence of mentions of Ptolemy (1st half of 2nd century CE). However, some scholars argue that the nature of Cleomedes' work did not require him to reference Ptolemy, and that the astronomical observations he reports align better with the late 4th century CE.
"On the Rotation of the Heavenly Bodies"
Cleomedes' main contribution to science is his treatise, "On the Rotation of the Heavenly Bodies." This comprehensive work encompasses astronomy, philosophy, and mathematics, presenting a Stoic view of the universe. It covers topics such as the spherical shape of the Earth, the celestial sphere, the movements of the planets, and the nature of the Milky Way.
