Thales of Miletus

Cosmology Ancient Greek -624 – -546 337 quotes

Considered the first philosopher and scientist, he proposed that water was the fundamental element of the universe.

Quotes by Thales of Miletus

He predicted the eclipse of the sun.

Herodotus, Histories 585

He measured the height of the pyramids by their shadows.

Plutarch, Convivial Questions

He was the first to define the solstices and equinoxes.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

He was the first to declare the size of the sun to be 720 times that of the moon.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

He was the first to say that the stars are composed of earth.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

He was the first to maintain that the soul is immortal.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

He was the first to say that the universe is governed by mind.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

He was the first to call the last day of the month the thirtieth.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

He was the first to say that the year has 365 days.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

He was the first to teach that the earth is a sphere.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

He was the first to divide the year into 365 days.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

He was the first to say that the stars are not fixed, but move.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

He was the first to say that the moon is not a star.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

He was the first to say that the sun is not a god.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

He was the first to say that the earth is not flat.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

He was the first to say that the universe is infinite.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

He was the first to say that the stars are not gods.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

He was the first to say that the soul is a moving principle.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

He was the first to say that the world is a living being.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

He was the first to say that the universe is a single whole.

Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers