Eudoxus of Cnidus

Εύδοξος ο Κνίδιος

Eudoxus of Cnidus (Εύδοξος ο Κνίδιος), (408-355 BC) son of Aeschines, Greek mathematician, astronomer, geographer and philosopher, whose genius was apparent from a very young age. He studied first with the famous Pythagorean , another (more )

"Theory of concentric spheres": Interpretation of the apparent movement of the planets, using a spherical lemniscate, which he devised. This theory became the foundation of the science of astronomy. Eudoxus also wrote a related treatise entitled "On speeds", which studied the movements of the seven celestial bodies: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn. His system was universally admired and was accepted by Aristotle, who described it in his "Metaphysics". It was later more fully worked out by his pupil, Callippus.

"On making spheres": Eudoxus constructed a mechanical representation of Autolycus' theory on the movement of the planets.

He was the first to calculate the distance of the Sun and the Moon from the Earth.

"Phenomena and Enoptron": Treatise on astronomy, discussed by Aratus. It describes the position of the constellations in the heavenly sphere, and their risings and settings. C.M. Linton. Cambridge, UK ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2004