Ancient Astronomy and the Beliefs of Classical Philosophers

Evidence of Ancient Placements of Earth

Evidence of how the ancients described the placement of Earth is found partly through archaeostronomy, the study of the astronomy of ancient peoples, and through history beginning with the ancient Babylonians and Greeks. Based on ancient astronomy, select all of the correct statements from the following list:

• a. Classical philosophers believed that Earth did not move.
• b. Classical philosophers knew that many orbits were elliptical and not circular.
• c. Ptolemy changed the ancient belief in the geocentric system by suggesting that the sun was the center of the universe.
• d. Classical philosophers believed that Earth was the center of the universe.
• e. Ancient cultures left detailed written records of their astronomical beliefs.
• f. Aristotle argued that crystalline spheres of the geocentric system did not represent physical reality, but were just a scientific model.
• g. Eratosthenes accurately estimated the diameter of the Earth.

Question

Which statements are correct based on ancient astronomy and the beliefs of classical philosophers?

Answer

The correct statements about ancient astronomy and the beliefs of classical philosophers are that they believed Earth did not move, they believed Earth was the center of the universe and Eratosthenes accurately estimated the Earth's diameter.