Document Type
Poster
Description
In the second century AD, Claudius Ptolemaeus, the astronomer from Alexandria, would provide a geometric conception of the cosmos with the ability to predict planetary motion, in what would be known as the Ptolemaic, or Geocentric, Model of the Universe. Prior to Ptolemy, the notion in ancient astronomy was that the cosmos was ”perfect”; the heavenly bodies must move along the perfect curve (a circle) as the perfect shape (a sphere). Yet, irregularities occur in observing the planets in concentric circles alone. Ptolemy’s answer, building upon Hipparchus and Aristotle, would present an eccentric system in which the heavenly bodies move in epicycles along deferent paths. Though modifications would be necessary, the Ptolemaic Model would maintain a geocentric cosmos and predict planetary movement for the next millennium.
Publication Date
Spring 2020
Keywords
Classics; Ancient Science Fair; Ptolemy; Cosmos; Astronomy; Geometry
Disciplines
Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity | Classics | History of Science, Technology, and Medicine
Colleges & Schools
Liberal Arts
Department
Classics
City
Dayton
Repository Citation
Smith , B. (2020). The Cosmos According to Ptolemy. Dayton, Ohio.
Included in
Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity Commons, History of Science, Technology, and Medicine Commons
