GEOMETRY

Pythagoras (says Iamblichus) is reported to have been much addicted to Geometry, for amongst the Egyptians, of whom he learned it, there are many geometrical problems.632 The most learned Egyptians were continually, for many ages of gods and men, required to measure their whole country by reason of the overflowing and decrease of the Nile—whence it is called Geometry.⁶³³

Some there are who ascribe all theorems concerning Lines jointly to the Egyptians and the Chaldeans; and all these, they say, Pythagoras took, and augmenting the science, explained them accurately to his disciples. Proclus affirms that Pythagoras first advanced the geometrical part of learning into a liberal science, considering the principles more sublimely (than Thales, Ameristus, and Hippias, his predecessors in this study) and thoroughly investigated the theorems immaterially and intellectually.⁶³⁴ Timaeus says that he first perfected geometry, the elements whereof (as Anticlides affirms), were invented by Moeris.⁶³⁵ Aristoxenus says that Pythagoras first introduced measures and weights amongst the Grecians.⁶³⁶