Changes

The Flat Earth idea is a primitive concept of the earth as a [[plane (geometry)|plane]] or a large circle. <ref> "Among various rude tribes we find survivals of a primitive idea that the earth is a flat table or disk, ceiled, domed, or canopied by the sky, and that the sky rests upon the mountains as pillars." </ref>

The Flat Earth idea is a primitive concept of the earth as a [[plane (geometry)|plane]] or a large circle. <ref> "Among various rude tribes we find survivals of a primitive idea that the earth is a flat table or disk, ceiled, domed, or canopied by the sky, and that the sky rests upon the mountains as pillars." </ref>

The ancient Greeks knew that the Earth was round, and had correctly estimated its diameter. Medieval Europeans knew this, and had correctly warned Columbus that he would never get to India with his limited supplies. Columbus relied on a fallacious argument that the Earth was much smaller than the Greeks estimated.

The ancient Greeks knew that the Earth was round, and had correctly estimated its circumference to within a few percent.{{fact-science}} Medieval Europeans knew this, and had correctly warned Columbus that he would never get to India with his limited supplies. Columbus relied on a fallacious argument that the Earth was much smaller than the Greeks estimated.

Some writers have presented the mistaken idea that medieval Europeans used a literal reading of the Bible to conclude that the [[Earth]] was flat.  

Some writers have presented the mistaken idea that medieval Europeans used a literal reading of the Bible to conclude that the [[Earth]] was flat.