Greek Thinkers: Science & Medicine

Midwife and first female physician in ancient Athens

Time period: 4th Century BC

Known for: A legendary figure credited as the first female midwife or physician in ancient Athens

Mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer

Born: 287 BC in Syracuse, Sicily, Magna Graecia

Died: 212 BC in Syracuse, Sicily, Magna Graecia (age 75)

Known for: Considered one of the greatest mathematicians of all time; created geometrical theorems to find the area of a circle and surface area and volume of a sphere; derived an accurate approximation of pi; created a system using exponentiation for expressing very large numbers

Mathematician and "father of geometry"

Born: mid-300s BC in Alexandria

Died: mid-200s BC in Alexandria

Known for: His Elements is one of the most influential works in the history of mathematics; deduced the theorems of what is now called Euclidean geometry; wrote works on perspective, conic sections, spherical geometry, number theory, and mathematical rigor.

Physician and "Father of western medicine"

Born: 460 BC in Kos, Ancient Greece

Died: 370 BC in Larissa, Ancient Greece (aged 90)

Known for: Founder of the Hippocratic School of Medicine; established medicine as a distinct field of study; credited with coining the Hippocratic Oath; credited with greatly advancing the systematic study of clinical medicine.

Astronomer, mathematician, and Neoplatonist philosopher

Born: around 350–370 AD in Alexandria, Province of Egypt, Eastern Roman Empire

Died: March 415 AD (aged 45–65) in  Alexandria, Province of Egypt, Eastern Roman Empire

Known for: Taught philosophy and astronomy at the Neoplatonic school in Alexandria; renowned in her lifetime as a great teacher and a wise counselor.

Philosopher and mathematician

Born: 570 BC on Samos

Died: 495 BC in Croton or Metapontum (aged around 75)

Known for: many mathematical and scientific discoveries, including the Pythagorean theorem, Pythagorean tuning, the five regular solids, the Theory of Proportions, the sphericity of the Earth, and the identity of the morning and evening stars as the planet Venus.