Thales Miletus

Thales, also known as Thales of Miletus, was an ancient Greek philosopher, mathematician, astronomer, and businessman. He was born in the seventh century BCE in what is now known as Asia Minor.

He is recognized as one of the Seven Sages of Greece and is known for his attempts to provide scientific explanations for natural phenomena that had previously been explained through mythological beliefs.

Aristotle referred to him as the first philosopher in the Greek tradition. Unfortunately, none of his works or any contemporary sources have survived. Most of what we know about this pre-Socratic philosopher comes from the writings of Greek historian Diogenes Laërtius, who lived in the 3rd century AD, and quoted Apollodorus of Athens, who lived around 140 BCE.

Because of the time gap, it is very difficult to assess his works or provide personal details about him. Modern scholars have started to doubt many of the acts and sayings that have been attributed to Thales. However, it is clear that Thales was a highly respected figure in his time and beyond.

Profile of Thales Miletus

Famously Known As: Thales of Miletus

Date of Birth: 623 BC

Born in Country: Greece

Name of Family Members:

• Father: Examyes
• Mother: Cleobuline

Early Years of Thales

According to the Greek scholar Apollodorus of Athens, Thales was born in 623 BC in the ancient Greek city of Miletus, which is located on the western coast of Anatolia near the mouth of the River Maeander. Today, this area is part of the Aydın Province in Turkey. While most scholars accept Apollodorus' views, there is a controversy about the place of his birth. Although the date has been corroborated by current historians, who place the year of his birth in the middle of 620s BCE, some claim that he was born in Phoenicia and later immigrated to Miletus with his parents.

Thales' biographer, Diogenes Laërtius, wrote in the 3rd century AD that Thales' parents, Examyes and Cleobuline, were wealthy and distinguished Phoenicians. However, there is some controversy surrounding this claim.

Many scholars believe that his father's name, Examyes, was distinctly Carian rather than Semitic. By that time, the Carians had been completely assimilated by the Ionians, leading many to believe they were actually of Milesian descent. However, it is widely acknowledged that they were wealthy and distinguished.

It is evident that Thales had at least one sibling, as he later adopted his nephew, Cybisthus. Otherwise, very little is known about Thales' early years.

He may have joined the family business at a young age, traveling to Egypt and Babylonia for trade. During this time, both Egypt and Babylonia were more advanced in mathematics and astronomy compared to the Greeks.

Thales likely interacted with teachers in Egypt and Babylonia, as evidenced by his return to Egypt to study geometry with the Egyptian priests and his later travels to Babylonia to study mathematics. Some sources suggest that, due to his wealthy background, he was sent abroad for his studies.

Academic Life of Thales

When Thales returned from Egypt, he brought geometry back to Greece, according to the fifth-century Greek philosopher Proclus. According to Proclus' writings, Thales began his life as a thinker and teacher before going on to make several discoveries and teach geometry to others. Rather than depending on mythology or scholarly knowledge, he was a practical thinker who employed deduction and logic to address challenges in his day.

In engineering, astronomy, and mathematics, he unintentionally invented a new scientific approach. His ability to use a pyramid's shadow to determine its height was one of his early accomplishments.

Thales Holding a Business

It was uncommon for anybody to spend so much time wondering in Miletus, a trading city. As a result, everyone made fun of Thales even though he became well-known as a philosopher.

Looking up at the sky, he stumbled and fell into a ditch. When he didn't even know what was at his feet, a servant girl laughed and asked how he could know what was in the sky.

Others mockingly questioned his intelligence, asking how someone so clever could earn so little. Determined to prove them wrong, he decided to start his own business. His goal was not just to make money, but to demonstrate that wealth could be achieved through knowledge alone.

By accurately forecasting the weather, he anticipated a bountiful olive harvest. As a result, he purchased all the olive presses in the city and profited greatly when the fruit was eventually harvested.

The narrative as told by Aristotle is not the same as the original. He said that Thales had reserved the olive presses in advance rather than buying them. He became wealthy by renting them out at a premium price when the olive harvest arrived.

Thales As a Political Advisor

Recognized for his wisdom, King Cyaxares recruited Thales to serve as a counselor during his five-year conflict with Lydia's King Alyattes.

Thales predicted the solar eclipse that will happen on May 28, 585 BCE, during the sixth year of the battle. Eclipses were considered omens at the time, and the battle ended immediately when the near-total eclipse occurred exactly as Thales had forecast.

The story was related by the poet and philosopher Xenophanes, who lived in the same century as Thales. Modern academics, however, cast doubt on the occurrence, arguing that Thales was not able to anticipate its exact location, timing, or character. Nevertheless, the two republics forged an alliance following this incident.

Lydia joined the media in their conflict with Persia. Thales followed Lydia's army as they marched towards modern-day Iran, possibly at the king's invitation. They were forced to stop when they reached the Halys River, also known as the Kızılırmak River.

In order to redirect the majority of the water and make the river navigable downstream, Thales recommended to the monarch that they construct a canal upstream. Herodotus spoke of this experience, although he was not convinced by it.

Lydia was defeated in the conflict between Lydia and Persia. The Persians spared Miletus since it did not take part in the battle. After arriving back home, Thales suggested that the Ionians form a confederation, with each state functioning as a separate district. Miletus was the only state that declined to join the confederation.

Major Contributions by Thales

Though none of Thales's original works have survived, some ancient scholars believe that he composed two books: "On the Solstice" and "On the Equinox." The majority of people believe he discovered five geometrical theorems, notwithstanding the doubts of many.

His five theorems are as follows: the angle inside a semicircle is a right angle; a triangle is determined if its base and the two angles at the base are given; a circle is bisected by its diameter; opposite angles formed by intersecting straight lines in a triangle are equal.

While the ancient people thought that earthquakes were the result of divine fury, Thales made an effort to offer a more sensible explanation. According to his theory, earthquakes happen when the sea grows turbulent and the earth floats over a huge expanse of water. Thales also said that water was the source of all things on Earth.

Personal Life and Legacy of Thales

Regarding Thales' marital status, there are contradicting reports. There are conflicting reports about him being single. One says he was never married, while another says he thought marriage was too early at first then changed his mind. On the other hand, he did adopt Cybisthus, his nephew.

It's not known, but according to certain historians, Thales married and had a son named Cybisthus. As per Plutarch, Thales said that he didn't want the burden of raising children when Solon questioned him about why he had never been married.

According to the chronicle of Apollodorus of Athens, Thales, who was 78 years old, perished from a heat stroke while observing the 58th Olympiad (548-545 BC).

He is regarded as the pioneer of scientific philosophy in Western culture, attempting to use science rather than mythology to explain natural events. The Milesian school of thought is said to have been founded by Thales.

Thales As an Astronomer

One of the first astronomers, Thales, determined the lunar ephemeris, the duration of a year, and the diameters of the Sun and Moon. In addition, he predicted a solar eclipse that coincided with a battle between the Lydians and the Medes.

Thales developed a novel method of studying and analyzing natural phenomena, which led him to reject mythology in favor of a more scientific perspective and develop theories on the nature of existence.

Thales As a Mathematician

It is quite possible that the mathematician visited Egypt and learned about Egyptian and Babylonian expertise. While there, Thales measured the Pyramid of Cheops' height precisely using a shadow thrown on the ground; his measurements are quite similar to those made by current computations.

While Thales' Theorem might not hold true for everyone, he is recognized for having pioneered a number of geometric research. Even though Thales' research took longer to be verified, his name will always be associated with mathematics.

Trivia

It is customary to assume that Thales counseled navigators to follow Ursa Minor rather than Ursa Major. Magnets are attracted to iron because, according to Thales, they are sentient entities with souls.

Death of Thales

Thales died at the age of 78 during the 58th Olympiad 545 BC due to heat stroke and thirst while watching the games, according to Diogenes Laërtius quoting Apollodorus.

Died On: 545 BC

Died At Age: 78

Place Of Death: Miletus Ancient Theater, Turkey

Conclusion

Thales was a Greek philosopher, mathematician, astronomer, and businessman born in 623 BC in Miletus. He is famous for his contributions to scientific philosophy, astronomy, and mathematics. Although his early years are unclear, he joined the family business at a young age and traveled to Egypt and Babylonia for trade.

During his travels, he acquired knowledge of geometry and made several discoveries, including accidentally inventing a new scientific approach in engineering, astronomy, and mathematics.

In politics, Thales made a prediction about a solar eclipse and formed an alliance with Lydia's King Alyattes. He also suggested constructing a canal to make the river navigable downstream. Thales passed away at the age of 78 at the Miletus Ancient Theater in Turkey. He is considered one of the Seven Sages of Greece.