The Greek Legacy: How the Ancient Greeks shaped modern mathematics

A two-minute animated adventure to Ancient Greece and back again - voiced by Numberphile's James Grime!

Often called the "birthplace of civilisation", Ancient Greece heralded numerous advances in philosophy, science, sport and also mathematics. Over six centuries from 600 BC a group of revolutionary thinkers -- from Thales, Pythagoras, Democritus and Aristotle to Euclid, Archimedes and Hypatia of Alexandria -- formalised the rules and language of modern mathematics.

For Greek thinkers, maths wasn't simply a means of calculating amounts but a way of testing reality and understanding the true nature of the world around them. Indeed, Pythagoras is believed to have coined both the words "philosophy" ("love of wisdom") and "mathematics" ("that which is learned"). In turn, Euclid came to be known as the "father of geometry".

At the heart of this new understanding, was the concept of "the proof", developed by Euclid in what is commonly regarded as the most important and successful mathematical textbook of all time -- the "Stoicheion" or "Elements". Built upon the axiomatic method, mathematical proofs were a way of testing assumptions by building up a mathematical argument using self-evident or assumed statements (or, "axioms").

It is this methodology that formed the foundational language and logic of modern mathematics throughout the world. Indeed, Euclid's Elements was widely used as the seminal maths textbook right up until the start of the twentieth century.

[hellohellohistory]

I love this ancient Greek science :) Great compact clip touches on many important moments.

[mariaheizels.agujar]

Very informative, I like it I'd like to use this in my class! Is that okay?

[TyYann]

Nice video. The golden rectangle on the Parthenon at the end is quite unfortunate, though, as it reinforces the myth of phi in Greek architecture. But except that, I like it.

[davianjanvierto]

When you draw, you also use mathematic figures.

[geoellinas]

A short video but very essential. Modern Greeks are not so worthy of our ancestors in the philosophy of life. 

[Chris.Davidson]

Everyone who is educated knows that behind everything is Greece or Greek spirit

[scientistwannabe_]

I am a proud Greek. Unfortunately st school no one ever emphasizes enough the importance of math in our culture and name it "technocratic knowledge", neglecting the fact that it suggests a way of problem solving thinking and brings us closer to the truth

[rrozinak]

Great video but you should give credits to Smetana for the music in the background ;-)

[azfarahsan]

Dr grimes voice is as smooth as butter

[DamienLaRocque]

Wait! Did i just heard Die Moldau in a video about ancient greek mathematics?

[Pontiki]

Our ancestors did magnificent things and helped the world advance but as a Greek i have to say that growing up here they teach us that Greeks basically invented absolutely everything.Not a mention about brilliant ancient civilizations like assyrians, chinese or anyone else.This led this place to become a small minded egocentric state resulting in the current horrible situation.

[IT]

And guess who destroyed this progress for 1000 years

[itsoblivion]

greece lost its strong mathamatical culture and has utmost no significant contributions to modern science like they haven't won any Field medal, abel prize and fundamental physics prize (ironically field medal has picture of a greek man Archimedes)
whereas India and china have still maintains their mathamatical culture. Especially India has strong foundational contributions to statistics with English men while chinese like shing tao has contributions to higher mathamatics just like indian mathamaticians ramanujan and harischandra.

[blenderpanzi]

I read "The Geek Legacy" first.

[emilyrichardson]

That’s nice but did you know Geico can save you 15% or more on car insurance?

[TheRoyalInstitution]

How did the Ancient Greeks revolutionise mathematics? Find out in just two minutes with James Grime The Greek Legacy: How the Ancient Greeks shaped modern mathematics

[MrTacosBD]

I came here cause I was told muslims invented algebra

[arzoo_singh]

Actually most of the work In math and various filelds the credit should go on India, but rather we see it as Greek work .

Why saying so ?
we are made to believe that there is inward flow of knowledge rather its outward flow .Let me explain this.

The Greeks and Indian have interacted before Christ's Birth,
There are many stories of many Greek scholars studying in Indian universities .
Many Ancient Indian books were found in Many European library and then used as a reference point or some were stolen ideas.

Its a shame India has to fight for its intellectual rights .

[LNGBW]

And now they're drowning in debt... What happened?

[tayo]

The ancient egyptians thaught the greeks