Thales of Miletus was the first known Greek philosopher, scientist and mathematician. Some consider him the teacher of Pythagoras, though it may be only be that he advised Pythagoras to travel to Egypt and Chaldea.
• From Eudemus of Rhodes (fl ca. 320 B.C) we know that he studied in Egypt and brought these teachings to Greece. He is unanimously ascribed to have introduced the mathematical and astronomical sciences into Greece.
• He is unanimously regarded as having been unusally clever—by general agreement the first of the Seven Wise Men2 , a pupil of the Egyptians and the Chaldeans.
• None of his writing survives and no contemporary sources exist; thus, his achievements are difficult to assess, particularly his phi- losophy and mathematical discoveries. Indeed, many mathematical discoveries of this early period have been attributed to others, often centuries later. In addition one must consider the ancient practice of crediting particular discoveries to men with a reputation for wisdom. This is no doubt certainly true in Pythagoras’ case.
• There is, of course, the story, related by Aristotle, of his successful speculation in olive oil presses after he had concluded there would be a bountiful harvest — as testament to his practical business acumen.
• The Greek writer Xenophanes claimed that he predicted an eclipse of the Sun on May 28, 585 BC, startling all of Ionia and thereby stopping the battle between the Lydian Alyattes and the Median Cyaxares. Modern scholars, in further analysis, believe this story is apocryphal, that he could not have had the knowledge to predict an eclipse so accurately. Herodotus spoke of his foretelling the year only. However, the fact that the eclipse was nearly total and occurred during this significant battle possibly contributed to his reputation as an astronomer. It is very likely he used Babyolonian astronomy in his prediction.
• He is also said to have used his know