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On Simplicius’ Testimony Regarding Eudoxan Lunar Theory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2003

Ido Yavetz
Ido Yavetz
Affiliation:
Tel Aviv University
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Abstract

Argument

The past five years have seen revisions of what had been regarded as the single definitive reconstruction of Eudoxus’ homocentric sphere theory. Crucial to these revisions, which present alternative constructions for the moon (Mendell 1998a, 1998b) and the five planets (Yavetz 1998), is a careful assessment of Simplicius’ testimony regarding the Eudoxan theory. The purpose of this paper is to show that even though we can account for lunar motion by means of two distinct homocentric models, both models involve forced and ambiguous readings of Simplicius’ account. Both reconstructions adequately accommodate the lunar month and the 18.5-year precession of the lunar nodes in a homocentric model that fits the general spirit of Eudoxus’ approach to the problem. Both are also in full accord with Aristotle’s short, general account of the Eudoxan system. However, since neither of them can be naturally reconciled with Simplicius’ text, and since we know of no other appropriate alternatives, it seems to follow that Simplicius’ account may suffer from serious technical inadequacies, and that only limited historical weight can be given to his testimony regarding the details of the system.

Type
Articles
Information
Science in Context , Volume 16 , Issue 3 , September 2003 , pp. 319 - 329
Copyright
2003 Cambridge University Press

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References

Aristotle . Metaphysics, Book 12.
Heath, T. L.1981. Aristarchus of Samos: The Ancient Copernicus. New York: Dover.
Mendell, Henry.1998a. “Reflections on Eudoxus, Callippus and their Curves; Hippopedes and Callippopedes.” Centaurus 40: 177-275.Google Scholar
Mendell, Henry.1998b. “The Trouble with Eudoxus.” In Ancient and Medieval Traditions in the Exact Sciences, edited by P. Suppes, J. M. Moravcsikand H. Mendell, 59-138. Stanford.
Simplicius . In Aristotelis de Caelo Commentaria. In Commentaria in Aristotelem Graeca, edited by I. L. Heiberg. Vol. VII.
Yavetz, Ido.1998. “On the Homocentric Spheres of Eudoxus.” Archive for History of Exact Sciences 53:221-278.Google Scholar