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

Eratosthenes and the Measurement of the Earth's Circumference (c.230 BC) is an innovative and thought-provoking examination of one of the pivotal moments in the history of science. This text analyses a debate that has been going on for more than 2,300 years over the accuracy of Eratosthenes' experiment and calculations and puts to rest all prior theories that have come before. This work engages with this long running debate by applying innovative and multi-disciplinary methods such as linguistic analysis, mathematical modelling, satellite mapping, archaeological investigation and historical examination that creates the first ever combined exploration of this important event in the history of astronomy.

1.1 - The Sources
1.2 - Eratosthenes, the man
1.3 - Alexandria
1.4 - Greek astronomical thought before the time of Eratosthenes
2.1 - Eratosthenes' experiment
2.2 - Eratosthenes' sundial
2.3 - Time and the solstices in Ancient Eygpt and Greece
2.4 - Ancient Eygptian and Greek sundials to the time of Eratosthenes
2.5 - A replica of Eratosthenes' skaphe
3.1 - The angle
3.2 - Errors in Eratosthenes' methodology
4.1 - The size of the stade
4.2 - Previous estimates of the size of Eratosthenes' stade
5.1 - Eratosthenes and the 180m stade
5.2 - The 180m Stade and the circumference of the Earth
6.1 - The Accuracy of Eratosthenes' Circumference
6.2 - Eratosthenes' legacy

Christopher A. Matthew is a lecturer in ancient history at the Australian Catholic University in Sydney, also teaching courses on the Greek City States, the Roman Republic, Pompeii, Ancient Greek Drama and the Ancient Near East. He is leading researcher in the study of ancient warfare and his research has been recognised both nationally and internationally.