Revolving around Ptolemy

Alexander Carbone

Ptolemy is a very influential figure in history and had a passion for the stars. He would then develop his works that

changed the world of astronomy. Who is Ptolemy? I would answer that, but Ptolemys true origins are lost to the depths

of history. His past unknown and there is no real biographies to describe who he really is (New World Encyclopedia,

n.d.). The only evidence we have about Ptolemy is his works and the obscure references about him. In his time that he

lived, he published 4 major series covering the subjects he studied about. He wrote the Almagest (Astronomy proven by

Mathematics), Tetrabiblos (Mathematics), Optics (covers the notation of reflective surfaces), and Geography (his

attempt to try and map the entire Mediterranean)(Ptolemy, n.d. ). These series is what made Ptolemy well-known. But

what made Ptolemy famous most was his Geocentric theory, where the Earth was believed to be the celestial mass

where all the planets in the solar system revolved around the Earth. This theory stood for 1400 years and influenced

generations to grow and improve till they developed a new technique that proved the theory wrong (Claudius

Ptolemy, n.d.). Though his theory was false, he was able to inspire people to develop concepts we used today.

Ptolemys works would inspire the generations to follow and to develop new techniques. He essentially started a chain

of new creative minds that led the chain to the current generation. Although, Ptolemy is a mystery man. He was very

multi talented in many areas. He was an astronomer, mathematician, geographer, and a poet of a single epigram

(Ptolemy, n.d.). To think that he could do that in his own lifespan where being sick was a death sentence. It inspires

me that he got to live his life to the fullest and to have his passion fulfilled. His passions were not wasted as he got to

publish those 4 major series in which at least had 5 books in each one (Jones, 2017). Unfortunately, it would take forever

for me to even write a single book. Looking closer at the Almagest, it amazes me how influential he could be with his

words and the amount of evidence of mathematics he provided to prove his Geocentric theory (Who is Claudius

Ptolemy, n.d.). His works were all well proven and fine detailed and didnt lack in quality. He truly accomplished what

he desired through everything he built up, and what he created through his own symbolism, as shown in the collage.
The pictures in my collage are not just for show, as the symbolism they hold connects to Ptolemy. One of the main

things shown on the collage is the 4 large books next to Ptolemy. They are the major series he accomplished and sit next

to him, and is positioned that makes Ptolemy almost looks at the books as he acknowledges his accomplishments as if

you stack the books on top of each other, it would presumably be as tall as the average human being. Next to the books

is a SPQR flag or a crest attached to Ptolemy. What SPQR stands for is Senatus Populus Que Romanus or The Senate of

the People of Rome. What this signifies about Ptolemy is that he lived during Ancient Rome as a citizen and supported

the empire. Ptolemy also had Greek heritage due to his name to start with Claudius and one of the only citizens to live in

Ancient Rome while being Greek (Who is Claudius Ptolemy, n.d.). Living in that era, his works were easy to get

published and grew to be famous along with his Geocentric theory. The collage also has a simplified version of his theory

but also has one of the proofs he used for it as evidence. The proof is the multi-entwined circle as what this proved had

to do with the alignment of the planets. There were multiple proofs like this and would lead to the mathematics, and

eventually to the closing of his theory. He didnt waste any effort to prove his theory as it would be what Ptolemy would

be famous for. Ptolemy may have been proved wrong in the end, but he still didnt do half the job but rather put all his

hard work and dedication into all the subjects he studied in and guided the next 1400 years with a well written theory

that created new subjects today.

Bibliography:

1. Claudius Ptolemy. (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2017, from http://www-groups.dcs.st-

and.ac.uk/history/Biographies/Ptolemy.html

2. n.d.Ptolemy. Ptolemy - New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 5, 2017, from

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ptolemy

3. n.d.PlanetFacts.org. Who is Claudius Ptolemy? Biography & Discoveries of Astronomer Ptolemy -

PlanetFacts.org. Retrieved June 5, 2017, from http://planetfacts.org/claudius-ptolemy/

4. n.d.Ptolemy. Ptolemy - Wikipedia. Retrieved June 5, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy

5. Jones, A. R. (2017, May 11). Ptolemy. Ptolemy | Accomplishments, Biography, & Facts | Britannica.com.

Retrieved June 11, 2017, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ptolemy