
As mentioned earlier, there were other thinkers in the classical world who contributed to the study of geometry, some of whom took a different approach to this subject.

elementary number theory and incommensurable lines.Įuclid’s Elements is a good example of the rational and academic approach to the study of geometry.

Although commonly thought to contain only geometry, Euclid’s Elements also dealt with other areas of mathematics, i.e. This treatise is considered to be one of the most influential works in the history of mathematics. Euclid lived in Alexandria between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, and is best-known for his Elements. Although there were many Greek and Roman thinkers who contributed to the subject, none had a greater impact than Euclid, who is often considered to be the father of geometry. It is also from the Greeks that this branch of mathematics obtained its name, as it is a combination of two Greek words, geo (earth) and metron (measure). ( Public domain )Īround the 6th century BC, the Greeks got themselves involved in geometry, transforming it from a practical subject into an abstract one based on generalizations. Elements, a fragment of which is shown here, is one of the most influential works in the history of mathematics. Nevertheless, the ancient Mesopotamians are also known to have practiced geometry, as did the ancient Chinese and Indians.Įuclid is considered the father of geometry. This is supported by written evidence from Egypt itself. According to Herodotus, geometry was established by the ancient Egyptians.
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Many of these, however, were crude approximations, and were based on trial and error. The earliest practitioners of geometry developed a set of rules to calculate lengths, areas, and volumes. It is commonly believed that geometry began as a practical subject, and came into being as a result of everyday concerns. Ancient Geometry: The Development of Geometry in Different Cultures The concept and application of sacred geometry can be found in many civilizations around the world.

This belief may be considered to be the basis of sacred geometry. According to this view, geometry has an intuitive side to it, and that certain geometrical shapes and proportion contain sacred meaning. It has been argued, however, that there is an opposite but complementary side to this field of study. This definition fits nicely with the academic study of geometry, which is based on rationalism. The Cambridge English Dictionary defines geometry as “the area of mathematics relating to the study of space and the relationships between points, lines, curves, and surfaces”.
