ANCIENT GREEK MATHEMATICS EXHIBITION

By Tania Mandouvalou

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he Foundation of the Hellenic World has tried a different approach to the world of mathematics with its new exhibition entitled Is there a solution for everything? A trip to the world of ancient Greek mathematics. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Minister of Culture, Evangelos Venizelos, on March 20th and will last for a whole year. This exhibition aims to demystify the difficulty of mathematics by

initiating visitors into the magic of mathematical thinking with the help of pioneering virtual reality technology. Technology offers significant help with understanding abstract notions, visiting sites that are inaccessible or simply no longer exist and examining objects from various new angles. The theme of the exhibition is the development of mathematics and mathematical thinking in the ancient Greek world - a period during which the foundations of science were laid. It also attempts to stress the importance of ancient

Greek mathematics for Greek and European civilisation. Special 3D spectacles giving a 3-dimensional feeling of the place and a navigation device are the visitors tools on the virtual trips of this exhibition, in which there are also videos, digital interactive applications and simple constructions as well. The Foundation of the Hellenic World is the only organisation in the world that exploits virtual reality technology for exclusively cultural issues, creating educational and entertaining programmes for a wider audience. The aim of the organisation is to exploit this technology and support research as well as to disseminate Greek cultural heritage. According to the President of the organisation, Lazaros Efremoglou, the exhibition has two main messages for the audience. Firstly, to present ancient Greek mathematics as a foundation of scientific thought. Secondly, to emphasise that mathematics is for everybody; it contributes to the personal development of individuals, is an intellectual challenge, can help in many different activities and is an integral part of our history and of the culture of society that produces and uses it. The exhibition covers the whole period of ancient Greek mathematics from the 6th century BC to the 4th century AD and refers to the most important events and figures in its history. A brief reference to the Pre-Hellenic mathematics of the Egyptians and the Babylonians is made. There is also a mention of the history of treatises written by Greek

The Foundation of the Hellenic World is the only organisation in the world that exploits virtual reality technology for exclusively cultural issues, creating educational and entertaining programmes for a wider audience

mathematicians after the end of the ancient period, from the time of Byzantine monasteries and Arab workshops where texts were copied to the time the texts were adopted by European scientists of the Renaissance and the period of Scientific Revolution. Basic applications of mathematics to other

sciences during that period, especially astronomy, mathematical geography and music, complete the image of Greek mathematics. At the same time, the cultural framework for the development of ancient Greek mathematical thinking in places ranging from Greek cities of Asia Minor and Southern Italy to classical Athens and the Alexandria of the Hellenistic Period is presented succinctly. One of the most important figures not only in ancient Greek mathematics but also in ancient and medieval science generally has his own place in this exhibition. The person we are referring to is Archimedes. He is the man who worked with physics and technology, as well as pure mathematics. Virtual reality is used to present the famous mechanical method with which Archimedes discovered mathematical formulae before proving them using a strictly geometrical method. This method is the forerunner of integral calculus that developed in the 17th century. The exhibition has been organised by scientists and museologists of the Foundation of the Hellenic World with full support from the Greek Mathematical Society. Through a unique and fascinating combination of ancient and modern technology, this exhibition activates childrens imagination, surprises adults and, at the same time, meets experts expectations with its preciseness and clarity. It is an exhibition that should not

be missed if you visit Athens, the capital of civilisation. The Foundation of the Hellenic World. 254 Pireos St. Be there! I

The exhibition has been organised by scientists and museologists of the Foundation of the Hellenic World with full support from the Greek Mathematical Society

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