Pliny the Elder

Pliny, the elder, one of the most learned men of ancient Rome, was born at Verona in AD 23-24. His full name was Gaius Plinius Secundus, was born into the equestrian class, one of the noble ranks of ancient Rome.

Pliny came to Rome at an early age and joined the general. Military service in the cavalry brought him to Germany.

His public career included several posts as procurator, notably of eastern Spain. He was a member of the councils of Emperors Vespasian and Titus.

Throughout his life Pliny was a prolific writer. He wrote a Natural History in thirty seven books, which are still extant. His work had great influence on later antiquity the Middle Ages and the early Renaissance, he remains a major figure in the history of science.

With topics ranging from wine making to mining, medicine to geography, the book contained as much of the ancient world’s knowledge as Pliny could gather.

His Natural History published in 77-79 AD, Pliny the Elder records several curious experiments ascribed to the neo-Pythagorean philosopher Anaxilaus of Larissa.

Anaxilaus, a Pythagorean philosopher and physician, born at Larissa, was accused of practicing magic and banished from Rome and Italy by Augustus.

He lost his life in the great eruption of mount Vesuvius, on August 25, in the year 79 AD. He was in his 56th years when he died.
Pliny the Elder

Brahmagupta

Brahmagupta is a renowned astronomer and mathematician of the seventh century. It was he who taught the Arabs astronomy before they became acquainted with Ptolemy. Brahmagupta was born in Ujjain, India in 598 AD.

Brahmagupta worked in the great astronomical center of Hindu science, Ujjain, a town in the state o Gwalior, Central India, said to have been the vice-regal seat of Asoka during his father reign at Patna.

His famous text Brahmasphutasiddhanta (The opening of the universe). Brahmasphutasiddhanta is Brahmagupta most important work. It is a standard treatise on ancient India astronomy. 

Brahmasphutasiddhanta composed in 628 Ad contains twenty five chapters including Dhyanagrahopadesadhyaya, is also observed by Al-Biruni – Muslim scholar and polymath of the 11th century.

The first 10 chapters pertain solely to astronomy, discussing the longitude of the planets, lunar and solar and solar eclipses and the timing alignments.

Chapter 7 is on mathematics. It deals with elementary arithmetic, algebra and geometry.

Brahmagupta goes on to describe the decimal place value system use in India. He permits zero as a valid number in all of his computations. Brahmagupta genius made use of mathematics in providing better astronomical methods.

George Sarton, the founder of the disciple of historian of science called him ‘one of the greatest scientist of his race and the greatest of his time’.

He died in 665 AD
Brahmagupta