The origin and value of the stadion unit used by Eratosthenes in the third century B. C (Q1095125): Difference between revisions
From MaRDI portal
Changed an Item |
Set profile property. |
||
| Property / MaRDI profile type | |||
| Property / MaRDI profile type: MaRDI publication profile / rank | |||
Normal rank | |||
Latest revision as of 02:10, 5 March 2024
scientific article
| Language | Label | Description | Also known as |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | The origin and value of the stadion unit used by Eratosthenes in the third century B. C |
scientific article |
Statements
The origin and value of the stadion unit used by Eratosthenes in the third century B. C (English)
0 references
1987
0 references
One of the works of Eratosthenes (ca. 276 B.C. -- ca. 195 B.C.) was entitled ``On the measurement of the Earth''. Interpretation of this geographical data depends on a knowledge of the unit of distance employed by its author. This was the stadion. In the article under review the author concludes that the stadion unit used by Eratosthenes was of the order of 166.7 m, and would have been related to the foot termed ``Italic'' by Heron of Alexandria.
0 references
mathematical geography
0 references
Heron of Alexandria
0 references
