I'm always left stunned when I read about the achievements of Eratosthenes. I've always wondered why he doesn't get the same recognition as Plato or Aristotle, or even Socrates.
I've always wondered why he doesn't get the same recognition as Plato or Aristotle, or even Socrates.
Very likely because most of his works were destroyed when the Library at Alexandria was razed, and because he wasn't considered the best at any single subject by his contemporaries.
I dunno, I heard about Eratosthenes long before I heard about any of them.
Then again, it is probably just the nature of their respective fields. Those three were philosophers, their ideas were applicable to politics and everyday life in their own time and every time since.
Physical science is a comparatively narrow field with regard to application. It was only recently that we realized how practical it really was.
Either he was not as prolific in the first place, or not as many of his writings have survived to this day. Sadly most of our views of ancient historical figures is plagued by the same myopia.
The ticket to lasting fame may not be just success, but may instead be a combination of success and luck in having your works preserved for generations.
