The Hellenistic period, spanning roughly from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE to the rise of the Roman Empire in 31 BCE, was an era of profound intellectual achievements particularly in the realms of science, philosophy, and technology. During this time, the fusion of Greek, Egyptian, Persian, and Indian influences fostered an environment ripe for scientific exploration and discovery.

Below, World History Edu explores some of the most influential scientists of the Hellenistic period and their remarkable accomplishments.

The Hellenistic period was marked by significant scientific advancements and intellectual exploration. The scientists of this era not only expanded the boundaries of knowledge but also laid the groundwork for future developments in various scientific disciplines.

Euclid (c. 300 BC)

Often referred to as the “father of geometry,” Euclid was a pivotal figure in ancient mathematics. His most famous work, “Elements,” is a comprehensive compilation of the knowledge of geometry of his time.

Euclid’s “Elements” remained a central textbook in the teaching of mathematics until the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It consists of thirteen books covering a vast body of mathematical knowledge, spanning from elementary geometry and arithmetic to the geometry of solids and the properties of numbers.

Euclid’s methodology of proving theorems by logical deduction from axioms and known facts was a significant advancement in the way mathematics was approached; it not only influenced the subject of geometry but also set a methodology for future scientific research and reasoning.

Image: A portrait of Euclid by Spanish painter Jusepe de Ribera.

Archimedes (c. 287–212 BC)

Archimedes of Syracuse is heralded for his contributions to the understanding of the physical sciences, particularly mechanics and hydrostatics. He is famous for his principle of buoyancy, often known as Archimedes’ Principle, which states that an object submerged in a fluid experiences a buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces.

Additionally, Archimedes made substantial contributions to the understanding of the lever’s principles, leading to the famous quote attributed to him: “Give me a place to stand on, and I will move the Earth.”

He also invented numerous mechanical devices, such as the Archimedean screw for raising water, compound pulleys, and war machines that were used in the defense of Syracuse against Roman invasion.

Image: A painting depicting Archimedes by Italian artist Domenico Fetti.

Hipparchus (c. 190–120 BC)

Hipparchus is often regarded as one of the greatest astronomers of antiquity. He is best known for creating the first comprehensive star catalog in the Western world and for developing a reliable method to predict solar eclipses. His discovery of the precession of the equinoxes—where the Earth’s rotational and orbital axes slowly move—was pivotal for the field of astronomy.

His methodologies for quantifying the movements of the heavenly bodies laid foundational principles that would influence later astronomers, including Ptolemy. He also devised systems for predicting solar and lunar eclipses and developed the concept of trigonometry, including the creation of a trigonometric table, to aid in his calculations.

Image: A nineteenth-century artwork depicting Hipparchus.

Eratosthenes (c. 276–194 BC)

Eratosthenes is best known for being one of the first people to calculate the circumference of the Earth, which he did with surprising accuracy for his time. He also calculated the tilt of the Earth’s axis and estimated the distance to the sun and the moon.

A chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria, Eratosthenes also made contributions to geography and cartography, where he tried to systematically calculate the size and scope of the Earth using mathematical and astronomical concepts. His method of calculating the Earth’s circumference involved measuring the angles of shadows cast at different latitudes at the same time of day.

Image: Eratosthenes

Hero of Alexandria (c. 10–70 AD)

Though slightly later than the traditional Hellenistic period, Hero of Alexandria is worth mentioning because of his inventive genius, which was heavily influenced by the Hellenistic tradition. Hero wrote extensively on pneumatics, mechanics, and steam power; his works include descriptions of devices such as the aeolipile, the first recorded steam engine.

He also developed numerous other inventions, including automatic doors and a coin-operated vending machine, demonstrating the advanced level of technical and mechanical sophistication achieved during this period.

Image: A 17th-century painting depicting Hero of Alexandria.