![]() ![]() Leucippus of Miletus had the greatest influence on him, becoming his mentor and sharing his theory of atomism with him. The ruins of the ancient Greek city of Abdera, with the west gate shown. In time, he would become one of the most famous of the pre-Socratic philosophers. His wealth allowed him to purchase their writings, and he wrote of them in his own works. He also traveled throughout Greece to acquire a better knowledge of its cultures and learned from many of Greece’s famous philosophers. Upon returning to his native land, he occupied himself with the study of natural philosophy. ![]() His writings include descriptions of the the cities of Babylon and Meroe (in modern-day Sudan). Desiring to feed his thirst for knowledge, Democritus traveled extensively across the known world, traveling to Asia, Egypt and (according to some sources) venturing as far as India and Ethiopia. Democritus was apparently instructed by these Magi in astronomy and theology.Īfter his father had died, Democritus used his inheritance to finance a series of travels to distant countries. It is further argued that as a reward for his service, the Persian monarch gave his father and other Abderites gifts, and left several Magi among them. It has been said that Democritus’ father was from a noble family and so wealthy that he received the Persian king Xerxes on the latter’s march through Abdera during the Second Persian War (480–479 BC). However, other sources claim he was born in Miletus, a coastal city of ancient Anatolia and modern-day Turkey, and that he was born in 490 BCE. While most sources claim he was born in Abdera, located in the northern Greek province of Thrace, around 460 BCE. The precise date and location of Democritus birth is the subject the debate. Democritus, by Hendrik ter Brugghen – Heraclitus, 1628. ![]() ![]() However, their theories came down to a different basis, a distinction that allows Democritus to be given credit for a theory that would go on to become a staple of the modern scientific tradition. This argument is based on the relationship Democritus had with contemporary philosopher Leucippus, who is renowned for sharing his theory about atoms with him. There has also been significant controversy – particularly in Germany during the 19th century – over whether or not Democritus deserves credit for atomic theory. Though he is typically viewed as one of Greece’s many pre-Socratic natural philosopher, many historians have argued that he is more rightly classified as a scientist, at least when compared to his contemporaries. This is due to his theory of universe that is made up of tiny “atoms”, which bears a striking resemblance to modern atomic theory. One such person is Democritus, an ancient Greek philosopher who is viewed by many as being the “father of modern science”. As the philosopher Nietzsche famously said “He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance one cannot fly into flying.” This is certainly true when it comes to humanity’s understanding of the universe, something which has evolved over many thousands of years and been the subject of ongoing discovery.Īnd along the way, many names stand out as examples of people who achieved breakthroughs and helped lay the foundations of our modern understanding. ![]()
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