The Smartest People of Classical Antiquity

The Smartest People of Classical Antiquity Who were the smartest people  in the ancient world? Classical antiquity was a period spanning over  several centuries and encompassing various cultures and civilizations, so it is difficult  to identify a single person as the "smartest." Moreover, intelligence can manifest  itself in various forms and domains, such as philosophy, science, mathematics,  literature, and politics, among others. There were several notable figures in classical  antiquity who

made significant contributions to various fields and were widely regarded  as intellectual giants in their time. Join us as we explore some of these  notable figures from history: 14. Hippocrates (c. 460–370 BC) Hippocrates was an ancient Greek physician who is widely regarded as the father  of modern medicine. He is known for founding the Hippocratic School of Medicine and for  authoring many treatises on various medical topics, including the Hippocratic Corpus. Hippocrates was born on the isl

and of Kos in Greece, and is believed to have studied medicine  under his father, who was also a physician. He traveled widely throughout Greece, treating  patients and studying medicine, and eventually settled in Kos, where he established his school. Hippocrates and his followers believed that diseases had natural causes, and that the  physician's role was to help the body heal itself by removing obstacles to its natural  healing processes. They emphasized the importance of observation, diagnos

is, and treatment,  and developed a system of medical ethics that emphasized the physician's responsibility  to act in the best interests of the patient. Hippocrates is credited with many important  medical discoveries, including the recognition of the symptoms of tuberculosis, the diagnosis and  treatment of pneumonia, and the development of the Hippocratic Oath, a code of ethical conduct for  physicians that is still in use today. His legacy has had a profound influence on the development  of

Western medicine and medical ethics. 13. Pythagoras (c. 570–495 BC) Pythagoras was an ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician who is best known  for his theorem in geometry, which states that in a right-angled triangle, the square of the  length of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares  of the other two sides. This theorem, known as the Pythagorean theorem, is one of the most  famous and important theorems in mathematics. Pythagoras was born on

the island of Samos in  Greece, and later founded a philosophical and religious school in Croton (in present-day Italy),  known as the Pythagorean School. The Pythagoreans were known for their belief in the importance of  mathematics and numbers, and for their belief in the transmigration of souls, the idea that the  soul is reborn into different bodies after death. In addition to his work in geometry, Pythagoras  also made important contributions to music theory, and is credited with the disco

very of the  mathematical relationship between musical intervals. He and his followers believed that  music had a profound effect on the human soul, and that it could be used to promote  healing and spiritual growth. Pythagoras' ideas had a profound influence on  the development of mathematics, science, and philosophy in the ancient world, and his legacy  continues to influence these fields today. 12. Thales of Miletus (c. 624–546 BC) The ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician Thales of Mil

etus is regarded  as one of the Seven Sages of Greece. Thales of Miletus was an ancient Greek  philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer who is considered one of the earliest known philosophers  in Western civilization. He was born in Miletus (in present-day Turkey) and is often referred  to as the "father of Western philosophy." Thales is known for his contributions to a  wide range of fields, including mathematics, geometry, astronomy, and philosophy. He is  credited with predicting a solar e

clipse that occurred in 585 BC, using his knowledge of  astronomy and mathematics to calculate the event. He is also said to have discovered the  fundamental principles of geometry, such as the theorem that the angles opposite the equal  sides of an isosceles triangle are also equal. Thales is best known for his philosophical  ideas, which were focused on the search for fundamental principles and explanations of  the natural world. He believed that everything in the universe was made up of a sin

gle  basic substance, which he called "water." He also believed in the importance of reason and  observation in understanding the natural world, and emphasized the need for practical knowledge  as well as theoretical understanding. Thales' ideas had a profound influence on  the development of philosophy, science, and mathematics in ancient Greece and throughout  Western civilization. His legacy continues to be felt today, particularly in the fields of science  and philosophy, where his emphasis

on reason, observation, and the search for fundamental  principles remains an important part of the intellectual tradition. 11. Cicero (106–43 BC) Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman  statesman, orator, and philosopher who played a significant role in the politics  and intellectual life of the Roman Republic. He is regarded as one of the greatest orators  in Roman history and is known for his writings on rhetoric, politics, philosophy, and law. Cicero was born in Arpinum (in present-day Italy) and

received a high-quality  education in Rome and Athens. He rose to prominence as a lawyer and orator,  and was elected to several important political positions, including consul, the highest office in  the Roman Republic. He was also a prolific writer and wrote extensively on a wide range of topics,  including philosophy, ethics, politics, and law. Cicero was a staunch defender of  Roman republican values and ideals, and he believed in the importance  of individual freedom, justice, and the rule

of law. He was a strong  opponent of tyranny and corruption, and he used his oratorical skills and political  influence to expose and criticize these practices. He also wrote extensively on the importance of  virtue and morality, and argued that the pursuit of these qualities was essential to the well-being  of both individuals and society as a whole. Cicero's influence on the development of Western  political and intellectual thought has been profound. His writings on rhetoric and oratory  hav

e been studied and emulated for centuries, and his ideas on politics, law, and ethics continue  to be debated and discussed by scholars today. 10. Lucretius (c. 99–55 BC) Titus Lucretius Carus was a Roman poet and philosopher who is best known for his epic poem  "De Rerum Natura" ("On the Nature of Things"). The poem is a philosophical work that  explores the nature of the universe, the origins of the world and life, and the  principles of atomism and Epicureanism. Lucretius was born in Rome and

little is known  about his life, except that he was a follower of Epicurus, an ancient Greek philosopher who  taught that the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain were the keys to a happy life.  Lucretius' "De Rerum Natura" is a long and complex work that draws on the ideas of Epicurus and  other Greek philosophers, but also incorporates elements of Roman religion and mythology. In the poem, Lucretius argued that the universe is made up of atoms, which move and combine  in various ways

to create all of the matter and life in the world. He also argues that the  gods are not involved in the affairs of humans, and that the fear of death and punishment in  the afterlife are irrational and unnecessary. Instead, he suggests that the pursuit  of pleasure and the avoidance of pain, along with the cultivation of virtue and wisdom,  are the keys to a happy and fulfilling life. Lucretius' ideas were highly influential in the  development of Western philosophy and science. His emphasis o

n the importance of reason,  observation, and the pursuit of knowledge helped to lay the groundwork for the scientific  revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries. His ideas on the nature of the  universe and the origins of life continue to be debated and explored by  scientists and philosophers today. 9.Hypatia of Alexandria (c. 350–415 AD) Hypatia of Alexandria was a Greek philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer  who lived in Alexandria, Egypt. She was one of the most prominent scholars of h

er  time, and is known for her contributions to the fields of mathematics and philosophy, as well as  her role as a teacher and public intellectual. Hypatia was born into a family of scholars and  received an excellent education in mathematics, philosophy, and astronomy. She was fluent in  several languages, including Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, and she is said to have written  several books on mathematics and philosophy, although none of her writings have survived. As a teacher, Hypatia was highl

y respected and  attracted many students, both male and female. She was known for her lectures on philosophy and  mathematics, and her ability to explain complex ideas in a clear and accessible manner. She was  also involved in the political and religious affairs of the city, and is said to have been an  advocate for tolerance and intellectual freedom. Hypatia's life was cut short when she was brutally  murdered by a mob of Christian extremists, who accused her of promoting paganism and  witchcr

aft. Her death was a significant loss to the intellectual and cultural life of Alexandria,  and she is remembered as a martyr to the cause of intellectual freedom and rational inquiry. 8. Socrates (c. 470/469–399 BC) Socrates was a Greek philosopher and the  founder of the Socratic method of inquiry. He is considered one of the most influential  figures in the development of Western philosophy. Socrates was born in Athens and he lived during  a time of great political and social change. He was k

nown for his unique approach to  philosophy, which involved questioning people about their beliefs and assumptions in order to  expose their inconsistencies and contradictions. This method, which is now known as the  Socratic method, was aimed at helping people to think critically and arrive at the  truth through reasoned debate and discussion. Socrates did not write down his ideas, and much  of what we know about him comes from the writings of his followers, such as Plato and Xenophon.  Accordi

ng to these sources, Socrates was a deeply moral and ethical thinker who believed in the  importance of virtue and the pursuit of knowledge. He argued that the pursuit of material  wealth and power was misguided, and that the only true path to happiness was  through the cultivation of wisdom and virtue. Socrates' ideas were highly controversial, and  he was eventually put on trial by the Athenian government and sentenced to death for impiety  and corrupting the youth. Despite his death, his idea

s continued to be influential, and he is  remembered as one of the greatest philosophers in Western history. 7. Ptolemy (c. AD 100–170) Ptolemy was a Greek-Egyptian mathematician, astronomer, and geographer  who lived in Alexandria, Egypt. He is best known for his works on astronomy and  geography, which were highly influential in the development of Western science. Ptolemy's most famous work is his "Almagest," a treatise on astronomy that synthesized the  knowledge of the ancient Greeks and pro

vided a comprehensive model of the universe. In the  "Almagest," Ptolemy introduced the concept of epicycles, which explained the apparent motions  of the planets in the night sky. He also proposed a geocentric model of the universe, which held  that the Earth was at the center of the cosmos. Ptolemy also wrote several works on geography,  including the "Geographia," which provided a detailed description of the known world and  introduced the concept of longitude and latitude. He also produced m

aps of the world, which  were highly accurate for their time. Ptolemy's ideas had a profound influence on  the development of astronomy and geography in the Western world. His work was widely  studied and commented upon by later scholars, and his model of the universe was accepted for  centuries, until the development of heliocentrism in the 16th and 17th centuries. 6. Galen (c. AD 129–c. 216) Galen was a Greek physician, anatomist, and  philosopher who lived in the Roman Empire. He is considere

d one of the most important  figures in the history of medicine, and his work had a profound influence  on the development of Western medicine. Galen was born in Pergamon, a city in  Asia Minor (now modern-day Turkey), and he received his medical training in  Alexandria, which was at the time the center of medical knowledge in the Roman Empire. He later  became the court physician to the Roman emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, and his medical  theories and treatments were widely respected.

Galen was a prolific writer, and his works on  anatomy, physiology, and pathology were highly influential. He believed in the importance of  empirical observation and experimentation, and he performed numerous dissections and vivisections  in order to better understand the human body. He also developed a comprehensive system  of medical theory that was based on the principles of the four humors, which held that  the body was made up of four basic fluids (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bil

e) that needed  to be balanced in order to maintain health. Galen's ideas were widely accepted in the Western  world for centuries, and his works were considered authoritative until the 16th century. Although  some of his theories have been proven incorrect by modern science, his contributions to the  development of medicine were significant, and his ideas paved the way for many of  the medical advancements that followed. 5. Confucius (551–479 BC) Confucius was a Chinese philosopher and politic

ian whose ideas have greatly  influenced Chinese culture and society. He was born in Qufu, a city in the state of Lu in  what is now modern-day China, and he lived during a time of great political and social change. Confucius is best known for his teachings on ethics, morality, and social order. He believed in  the importance of education and self-cultivation, and he emphasized the importance of social harmony  and respect for authority. He also believed in the concept of the "Mandate of Heaven,

" which  held that rulers had a divine right to govern only as long as they were just and virtuous. Confucius' ideas were compiled into a collection of texts known as the "Analects," which were  written down by his followers after his death. These texts include many of his sayings  and teachings, as well as discussions with his disciples about a wide range of topics, from  ethics and morality to politics and governance. Confucius' ideas had a profound influence on  Chinese thought and culture, a

nd his teachings were widely studied and practiced throughout  Chinese history. His emphasis on education and self-cultivation has been a cornerstone of  Chinese culture for centuries, and his ideas have had a lasting impact on the development  of Chinese philosophy, religion, and politics. 4. Archimedes (c. 287–212 BC) The Greek mathematician, physicist, and inventor, Archimedes is considered one of  the greatest scientists in the ancient world. He was born in Syracuse, a Greek city-state  in w

hat is now modern-day Italy. Archimedes is known for his contributions to  mathematics, including his work on geometry, calculus, and number theory. He is credited  with discovering the principle of buoyancy, which explains why objects float in water, and  he developed a method for measuring the volume of irregular objects using water displacement. He  also invented a number of machines and devices, including the Archimedes screw, which  is still used today to lift water from low-lying areas to

higher ground. One of Archimedes' most famous contributions to science is his principle,  which states that the buoyant force on an object submerged in a fluid is equal to the  weight of the fluid displaced by the object. This principle has applications in shipbuilding,  underwater exploration, and many other fields. Archimedes was also a prolific inventor, and he  is said to have created a number of war machines to defend Syracuse from the Roman invasion.  These machines included giant mirrors

that could focus sunlight to set enemy ships on  fire, as well as cranes and grappling hooks used to lift and overturn enemy vessels. Archimedes' ideas and inventions had a profound impact on the development of science and  technology in the Western world, and his work is still studied and admired today. 3. Euclid (c. 325–265 BC) Euclid was a Greek mathematician who is  best known for his work in geometry. He was born in Alexandria, which was at the  time a center of learning and scholarship. Eu

clid's most famous work is his book "Elements,"  which is a comprehensive treatise on geometry. The book is divided into thirteen volumes,  or "books," each of which covers a different aspect of geometry. "Elements" is considered  one of the most important works in the history of mathematics, and it has been used as  a textbook for over two thousand years. In "Elements," Euclid presents a rigorous system  of axioms and postulates that underlie all of geometry. He then uses these basic principles

  to prove a wide range of geometric theorems and propositions, including the Pythagorean theorem,  the law of cosines, and the formula for the area of a circle. Euclid's approach to geometry, which  emphasizes logical reasoning and deductive proof, has had a profound influence on the  development of mathematics and science. In addition to his work in geometry, Euclid also  made contributions to the study of number theory, including his work on prime numbers and his proof  that there are an infi

nite number of primes. Euclid's ideas and methods have had a lasting  impact on the development of mathematics and science, and his work remains an important  part of the mathematical canon to this day. 2. Plato (c. 428/427–348/347 BC) Plato was a Greek philosopher and student of Socrates. He is considered  one of the most important figures in the development of Western philosophy and is  known for his influential works, including "The Republic," "Symposium," and "Phaedo." Plato was born into a

wealthy and influential family in Athens and was initially interested  in politics. However, after meeting Socrates, he became more interested in philosophy and began  to study under him. After Socrates' execution, Plato left Athens and traveled extensively  before returning to found the Academy in Athens, which is considered the first institution  of higher learning in the Western world. Plato's philosophy was influenced by his belief  in the existence of absolute truth and objective reality. H

e believed that the physical world  was merely a shadow of a higher reality, which he called the world of Forms or Ideas. He also  believed in the importance of reason and rational inquiry and saw philosophy as a way to understand  the nature of reality and the human condition. In "The Republic," Plato presents his  ideas about justice and the ideal society. He argues that the best society is one in  which each person fulfills their proper role and works for the common good. He also  discusses t

he concept of the philosopher-king, a ruler who is both wise and just and who  governs with the good of the people in mind. Plato's ideas have had a profound  influence on the development of Western philosophy and have been studied  and debated for over two thousand years. His emphasis on reason, ethics, and the importance  of the search for truth continues to be relevant today. . Aristotle (384–322 BC) Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath who is considered one of  the most important f

igures in Western philosophy. He was a student of Plato and later  became the tutor of Alexander the Great. Aristotle's work covered a wide range of  subjects, including logic, metaphysics, ethics, politics, biology, and physics. He developed a  systematic approach to knowledge and inquiry, emphasizing the importance of observation and  empirical evidence. He also developed a method of deductive reasoning, which he called syllogism. In metaphysics, Aristotle developed the concept of causality, a

rguing that everything has a cause  and that the ultimate cause is the prime mover or first cause. He also believed in the existence of  four basic elements (earth, air, fire, and water) and that everything in the universe is made  up of these elements in varying combinations. In ethics, Aristotle believed that the  ultimate goal of human life was to achieve eudaimonia or happiness, which he defined as  a state of well-being that comes from living a virtuous life. He identified virtues such  as

courage, justice, wisdom, and moderation as essential to achieving eudaimonia. Ayn Rand acknowledged Aristotle as the only philosopher to whom she was indebted,  the father of logic who defined "the basic principles of a rational view of  existence and of man's consciousness." Aristotle's ideas had a profound influence on the  development of Western philosophy and science. His approach to knowledge and  inquiry, emphasizing the importance of observation and empirical evidence, laid  the groundwo

rk for modern scientific method. His work on ethics and political theory  continues to be studied and debated today. These figures were important because they made  significant contributions to various fields of knowledge, which had a lasting impact on human  culture and civilization. They were pioneers and innovators who developed new ideas, methods,  and systems that transformed our understanding of the world and our place in it. The contributions of these individuals, and many others like the

m, helped to advance  human knowledge and understanding, and provided the groundwork for many of the intellectual,  social, and cultural achievements of later eras. What did you think of this list? Were there  any notable historical geniuses we neglected to mention? If you think so, let us know in  the comments. We would love to hear from you! Also, if you haven’t already done so, please  consider Liking this video and Subscribing to the Classic Masterworks channel. It really  helps us with gene

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