Summary
Around 500 BC, the prevailing belief among Greeks was that the Earth was flat until Pythagoras and his followers suggested a spherical Earth. Anaxagoras further supported this idea by studying shadows during lunar eclipses around 340 BC. Aristotle also contributed to the concept of a spherical Earth by observing the Moon's shape and the disappearance of ships hull-first when moving away. Scholars in Alexandria, Egypt estimated the Earth's circumference to be approximately 250,000 stadia based on shadow angles.
Greek belief in Earth's shape
Around 500 BC, most Greeks believed the Earth was flat until Pythagoras and his pupils proposed a spherical Earth.
Anaxagoras supports Pythagoras's proposal
Anaxagoras supported Pythagoras's proposal by observing the Shadows during lunar eclipses around 340 BC.
Argument for a spherical Earth
Anaxagoras argued for a spherical Earth based on the position of the North Star, the Moon, and the disappearance of ships hull-first when moving away.
Aristotle's observations
Aristotle observed the Moon's shape and proposed that the Earth might also be spherical. He also noted the concept of a ship disappearing hull-first while moving away.
Ancient Scholars' calculations
Ancient Scholars in Alexandria, Egypt tried to calculate the Earth's circumference based on shadow angles. They estimated the Earth's circumference to be around 250,000 stadia.
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