In this episode we will learn about the impact of the Roman Empire on scientific thought. As opposed to the Greeks who approached mathematics and science from a philosophical perspective in order to better understand the universe, the Romans had a much more utilitarian view of these topics. As the Roman Empire sought to increase its influence over much of the known world, they were aided by the knowledge possessed by their Greek neighbors. They used this knowledge to improve their military, connect their settlements with roads and aqueducts, and build impressive structures, some of which are still standing today. And while the Romans didn't dedicate themselves like their Greek predecessors did to the continuous advancement of science and mathematics in the academic sense, they did an excellent job of cataloging the knowledge they had and making advances in these fields through the practical application of that knowledge.

In this episode, we continue learning about the Hellenistic Age in which Greek thinkers made many important advances in the fields of mathematics and astronomy. Part 2 features the stories of Eratosthenes, Apollonius of Perga, and Hipparchus. These three men contributed significantly to our understanding of the world and universe that surrounds us, including measuring the circumference of the Earth using shadows and laying the groundwork for modern trigonometry.

In this episode, we continue our journey through the history of ancient Greece into the Hellenistic Age. We start with a history lesson about Alexander the Great and his military campaign that spread Greek influence and culture across most the ancient world. After his death, Greece would experience its golden age, known as the Hellenistic Period. During this period, Greek mathematicians laid the foundation for modern mathematics and utilized the mathematical principles they developed to create new inventions and gain a better understanding of their world.

In this first episode of a two part series, I discuss Alexander the Great's conquests and the intellectual contributions of Euclid and Archimedes.