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Mathematician · Writer
An ancient Greek mathematician. He was active in Alexandria and systematized geometry from axioms with his Elements. He is a person who thinks about the methods of ancient science.
View in catalogAlexandria
Work
Elements
Book
Map: Natural Earth (PD)
Little is known about the details of his life, but he is said to have lived in Alexandria during the Ptolemaic period. In the Hellenistic world, learning was concentrated in cities and libraries.
``Elements'' systematized plane geometry and number theory by accumulating definitions, postulates, propositions, and proofs. He demonstrated a form of building knowledge not only through individual discoveries but also through proofs.
There is an anecdote about Euclid, who replied to the king, ``There is no royal road in geometry.'' This story has been told as a symbol of the fact that there are no shortcuts to learning based on social status.
Studying Euclid reveals that logical proof and systematization reached a high standard in the ancient Mediterranean world. ``Elements'' has long been the basic text for mathematics education and has influenced modern science. It can also be used for comparison with surrounding areas from the same era.
