Eratosthenes

Calculated Earth's circumference

Ancient influential 69 sayings

Sayings by Eratosthenes

I am a critic of Homer, but I appreciate his poetic genius.

c. 230 BCE — His critical scholarship on classical literature, typical of Alexandrian scholars.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The world is much larger than previously imagined.

c. 240 BCE — A conclusion from his circumference measurement.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

One must combine practical observation with theoretical understanding.

c. 250 BCE — His holistic approach to knowledge.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The universe is a grand design, filled with mathematical harmonies.

c. 250 BCE — A Pythagorean/Platonic sentiment he likely shared.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The Earth is a sphere, and its circumference is 250,000 stadia.

240 BCE — Calculating Earth's size
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

There are two ways to measure the Earth: one by walking, the other by thinking.

240 BCE — Explaining geodesy
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The Sun is so far away that its rays are parallel when they reach Earth.

240 BCE — Explaining his measurement method
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The Nile floods because of heavy rains in the south.

240 BCE — Explanation of the Nile's flooding
Controversial Unverifiable

The earth is round and of vast circumference.

240 BCE — From his calculations of Earth's circumference
Controversial Unverifiable

I have measured the circumference of the Earth with a stick and some shadows.

c. 240 BCE — A simplified, modern interpretation of his method, not an exact quote.
Humorous Unverifiable

The Earth is spherical, not flat.

c. 240 BCE — His findings implicitly supported this, but a direct quote is hard to verify.
Humorous Unverifiable

I am called Beta, because I am the second best in many things.

c. 200 BCE (reported much later) — Reported by Suda Lexicon, explaining his nickname.
Humorous Unverifiable

The Earth is divided into five zones: one torrid, two temperate, and two frigid.

c. 200 BCE — From his geographical writings, as described by Strabo.
Humorous Unverifiable

It is necessary to measure the world with accuracy.

c. 240 BCE — Implicit in his work, but precise wording is hard to attribute directly.
Humorous Unverifiable

I have devised a method for finding prime numbers.

c. 230 BCE — Referring to the Sieve of Eratosthenes, a mathematical contribution.
Humorous Unverifiable

The inhabited world is larger than previously thought.

c. 200 BCE — Conclusion from his geographical studies.
Humorous Unverifiable

My work on chronology is an attempt to establish a scientific basis for history.

c. 200 BCE — Referring to his 'Chronographies', as described by later historians.
Humorous Unverifiable

Poetry should not be judged by its truth, but by its ability to charm the soul.

c. 200 BCE — A philosophical stance attributed to him, distinguishing poetry from history/science.
Humorous Unverifiable

I am a polymath, not just a geographer.

c. 220 BCE — Implicit in his diverse works, but the exact phrasing is a modern interpretation.
Humorous Unverifiable

The Nile floods annually because of summer rains in Ethiopia.

c. 230 BCE — A correct explanation he proposed, recorded by other ancient writers.
Humorous Unverifiable