The Experiment | Eratosthenes and the Measurement of the Earth's Circumference (c.230 BC) (2024)

Eratosthenes and the Measurement of the Earth's Circumference (c.230 BC)

Christopher A. Matthew

Published:

2023

Online ISBN:

9780191986727

Print ISBN:

9780198874294

Contents

  • < Previous chapter
  • Next chapter >

Eratosthenes and the Measurement of the Earth's Circumference (c.230 BC)

Christopher A. Matthew

Chapter

Get access

Christopher A. Matthew

Christopher A. Matthew

Find on

Oxford Academic

Pages

74–128

  • Published:

    June 2023

Cite

Matthew, Christopher A., 'The Experiment', Eratosthenes and the Measurement of the Earth's Circumference (c.230 BC) (Oxford, 2023; online edn, Oxford Academic, 20 July 2023), https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198874294.003.0002, accessed 2 July 2024.

Close

Search

Close

Search

Advanced Search

Search Menu

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of Eratosthenes’ experiment as it is outlined in the ancient source material, and begins to investigate the possible reasons for variances in the accounts of the results that are found in the ancient texts. This chapter also examines the types of instrument (sundial) that Eratosthenes would have used in his experiment and calculations, examines their construction and configuration, and provides an overview of the importance of timekeeping and the identification of the time of the Solstices in ancient Egyptian and Greek culture and how they impacted such things as their calendars, their religious practices, and their architecture. The chapter concludes with the account of reconstructive experimentation that was undertaken with a replica of Eratosthenes’ sundial to determine the accuracy of the instrument, the ease in which it could be used to gauge to time of solar culmination on the Summer Solstice, and lead into a better understanding of how Eratosthenes could have used a sundial to determine the size of the Earth’s circumference.

Keywords: ancient sources, ancient Greece, ancient Egypt, sundials, re-creative experiment

Subject

Logic History of Mathematics

Collection: Oxford Scholarship Online

Eratosthenes and the Measurement of the Earth's Circumference (c.230bc). Christopher A. Matthew, Oxford University Press. © Christopher A. Matthew (2023). DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780198874294.003.0002

You do not currently have access to this chapter.

Sign in

Get help with access

Personal account

  • Sign in with email/username & password
  • Get email alerts
  • Save searches
  • Purchase content
  • Activate your purchase/trial code
  • Add your ORCID iD

Sign in Register

Institutional access

    Sign in through your institution

    Sign in through your institution

  1. Sign in with a library card
  2. Sign in with username/password
  3. Recommend to your librarian

Institutional account management

Sign in as administrator

Get help with access

Institutional access

Access to content on Oxford Academic is often provided through institutional subscriptions and purchases. If you are a member of an institution with an active account, you may be able to access content in one of the following ways:

IP based access

Typically, access is provided across an institutional network to a range of IP addresses. This authentication occurs automatically, and it is not possible to sign out of an IP authenticated account.

Sign in through your institution

Choose this option to get remote access when outside your institution. Shibboleth/Open Athens technology is used to provide single sign-on between your institution’s website and Oxford Academic.

  1. Click Sign in through your institution.
  2. Select your institution from the list provided, which will take you to your institution's website to sign in.
  3. When on the institution site, please use the credentials provided by your institution. Do not use an Oxford Academic personal account.
  4. Following successful sign in, you will be returned to Oxford Academic.

If your institution is not listed or you cannot sign in to your institution’s website, please contact your librarian or administrator.

Sign in with a library card

Enter your library card number to sign in. If you cannot sign in, please contact your librarian.

Society Members

Society member access to a journal is achieved in one of the following ways:

Sign in through society site

Many societies offer single sign-on between the society website and Oxford Academic. If you see ‘Sign in through society site’ in the sign in pane within a journal:

  1. Click Sign in through society site.
  2. When on the society site, please use the credentials provided by that society. Do not use an Oxford Academic personal account.
  3. Following successful sign in, you will be returned to Oxford Academic.

If you do not have a society account or have forgotten your username or password, please contact your society.

Sign in using a personal account

Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members. See below.

Personal account

A personal account can be used to get email alerts, save searches, purchase content, and activate subscriptions.

Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members.

Viewing your signed in accounts

Click the account icon in the top right to:

  • View your signed in personal account and access account management features.
  • View the institutional accounts that are providing access.

Signed in but can't access content

Oxford Academic is home to a wide variety of products. The institutional subscription may not cover the content that you are trying to access. If you believe you should have access to that content, please contact your librarian.

Institutional account management

For librarians and administrators, your personal account also provides access to institutional account management. Here you will find options to view and activate subscriptions, manage institutional settings and access options, access usage statistics, and more.

Purchase

Our books are available by subscription or purchase to libraries and institutions.

Purchasing information

Metrics

Total Views 50

42 Pageviews

8 PDF Downloads

Since 7/1/2023

Month: Total Views:
July 2023 3
September 2023 4
October 2023 2
November 2023 5
December 2023 3
January 2024 4
March 2024 3
April 2024 10
May 2024 2
June 2024 14

Citations

Powered by Dimensions

Altmetrics

×

More from Oxford Academic

History of Mathematics

Logic

Mathematics

Science and Mathematics

Books

Journals

The Experiment | Eratosthenes and the Measurement of the Earth's Circumference (c.230 BC) (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Lawanda Wiegand

Last Updated:

Views: 6597

Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Lawanda Wiegand

Birthday: 1993-01-10

Address: Suite 391 6963 Ullrich Shore, Bellefort, WI 01350-7893

Phone: +6806610432415

Job: Dynamic Manufacturing Assistant

Hobby: amateur radio, Taekwondo, Wood carving, Parkour, Skateboarding, Running, Rafting

Introduction: My name is Pres. Lawanda Wiegand, I am a inquisitive, helpful, glamorous, cheerful, open, clever, innocent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.