ARISTARCHUS OF SAMOS

Abstract

A work by Sir Thomas Heath dealing with Greek mathematics may be sure of an appreciative circle of readers, fit though few. On the purely mathematical side the present reviewer could not hope to say much that would greatly concern either the author or his readers, even if a philological journal should be thought a suitable means of bringing it to their attention. But the author has done much besides giving us an admirable new edition of an interesting document for the history of Greek mathematical astronomy, which indeed forms a minor part of the present volume; he presents what may safely be called the best history of Greek astronomy and cosmology in any language. In his Preface Sir Thomas relates the genesis of his work, which is typical of the growth and extension of a true scholar's studies, once he has conscientiously begun the exhaustive consideration of a theme which, like all things human, looks backward as well as forward. Of the scope of the treatise the title page gives an accurate description, except that it affords no hint of the detailed study contained in Ch. IV of Part II, " Later Improvements on Aristarchus's Calculations ". Mention should be made also of Ch. XIX of Part I, "Greek Months, Years and Cycles", in which a useful summary is given of Ginzel's researches in Greek mathematical and technical chronology. It is to our author's survey of Greek astronomy and cosmology that we naturally turn; and since it has been already said that the book is the best in its field, the reviewer may be pardoned if he now directs attention to a number of points at which he believes our author to be in error. There are many other matters on which the writer cannot agree with Sir