When did people start believing the earth was round? This question has intrigued historians and scientists for centuries. The belief in a round earth has evolved over time, influenced by various factors such as ancient civilizations, scientific discoveries, and philosophical ideas.
Ancient civilizations, including the Greeks, Egyptians, and Chinese, had some knowledge of the earth’s spherical shape. However, it was not until the 3rd century BCE that the idea gained widespread acceptance. The Greek philosopher Pythagoras is often credited with the first explicit statement that the earth is round. He based his conclusion on observations of the moon’s crescent phase, which is only visible when the moon is on the opposite side of the earth from the sun.
Despite Pythagoras’ contributions, many people still held onto the belief that the earth was flat. This was primarily due to the lack of evidence and the dominance of religious and philosophical teachings that supported a flat earth. The idea of a flat earth was reinforced by the biblical account of Noah’s Ark, which implied that the entire world was flooded and that the ark would have had to be large enough to cover the entire earth.
It was not until the 2nd century CE that the Roman architect and engineer Vitruvius provided further evidence for a round earth. He observed that ships disappeared from view over the horizon in a way that suggested the earth’s curvature. This observation was later supported by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy, who described the spherical shape of the earth in his work “Almagest.”
One of the most significant pieces of evidence came from the 15th century, when the Portuguese explorer Christopher Columbus set sail in search of a westward route to Asia. His belief in a round earth was crucial to his journey, as he knew that if he continued west, he would eventually reach Asia. Although Columbus underestimated the size of the earth, his voyage provided concrete evidence that the earth was indeed round.
The 16th century saw further advancements in navigation and cartography, which helped to solidify the belief in a round earth. The invention of the astrolabe, a device used to measure the angle between celestial objects and the horizon, allowed sailors to determine their longitude and confirm the earth’s curvature. Additionally, the exploration of the New World by European explorers such as Ferdinand Magellan and Vasco da Gama provided more evidence of the earth’s roundness.
In conclusion, the belief in a round earth has evolved over time, with significant contributions from ancient philosophers, astronomers, and explorers. While the idea of a flat earth persisted for centuries, the accumulation of evidence and the advancement of science eventually led to the widespread acceptance of the spherical shape of our planet. The question of when people started believing the earth was round can be traced back to the 3rd century BCE, with the contributions of Pythagoras and other ancient thinkers setting the stage for the subsequent exploration and discovery that would confirm this belief.
