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'''Socrates' greatest student was Plato (428-347 B.C.), who founded the Academy''', which became one of the greatest places of learning in all of history.  Born as a nobleman, Plato was fascinated with the power of reason and developed a philosophy based on reason rather than experience.  '''He felt the essence of the world was abstract universals or "forms" or "ideas", such as justice and truth and the Good'''.  Plato was particularly interested in physics and mathematics.  His writing style was in the form of dialogs.  Early Christians made use of Plato's work.

'''Socrates' greatest student was Plato (428-347 B.C.), who founded the Academy''', which became one of the greatest places of learning in all of history.  Born as a nobleman, Plato was fascinated with the power of reason and developed a philosophy based on reason rather than experience.  '''He felt the essence of the world was abstract universals or "forms" or "ideas", such as justice and truth and the Good'''.  Plato was particularly interested in physics and mathematics.  His writing style was in the form of dialogs.  Early Christians made use of Plato's work.

'''Plato's greatest writing was his book called "The Republic," which forms the foundation for the American republican system of government'''.  Under this system, the people typically do not vote directly on issues, but elect representatives who then cast hopefully more informed votes on legislation.  In the ideal state of government imagined by Plato, philosophers ruled the country.

'''Plato's greatest writing was his book called "The Republic," which forms the foundation for the American republican system of government'''.  Under this system, the people typically do not vote directly on issues, but elect representatives who then cast hopefully more informed votes on legislation.  Plato wanted government to be run by philosophers.

'''Plato's finest student was Aristotle, perhaps the greatest philosopher of all time.  Aristotle lived from 384 to 322 B.C.''', and wrote a treatise that is still taught in the finest university philosophy departments.  Aristotle came to the Academy when he was 17 and remained there until the death of Plato twenty years later.  '''But Aristotle's approach was the opposite of Plato's: Aristotle thought experience was the key to knowledge, and embarked on the massive task of observing and compiling as much information as possible'''.  In contrast to Plato's interest in physics and math, Aristotle was fascinated by biology and classified over 500 animal species.  He ultimately founded his own school, the Lyceum, and equipped it with specimens, libraries, maps and other accouterments found in modern universities.  Less impressive was how Aristotle defended the usefulness of slavery.

'''Plato's finest student was Aristotle, perhaps the greatest philosopher of all time.  Aristotle lived from 384 to 322 B.C.''', and wrote a treatise that is still taught in the finest university philosophy departments.  Aristotle came to the Academy when he was 17 and remained there until the death of Plato twenty years later.  '''But Aristotle's approach was the opposite of Plato's: Aristotle thought experience was the key to knowledge, and embarked on the massive task of observing and compiling as much information as possible'''.  In contrast to Plato's interest in physics and math, Aristotle was fascinated by biology and classified over 500 animal species.  He ultimately founded his own school, the Lyceum, and equipped it with specimens, libraries, maps and other accouterments found in modern universities.  Less impressive was how Aristotle defended the usefulness of slavery.

Ancient Greece contributed enormously to medicine.  The father of medicine was Hippocrates (460–377 B.C.), although some claim that medicine started even earlier in ancient India.  Hippocrates issued the "Hippocratic Oath" that has been required of medical students around the world as a condition of graduation.  It originally stated in part:  "I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous.  I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce [[abortion]]."  People who profit from abortion today refuse to obey the Oath, and most medical schools have improperly omitted this key part of the Oath.

Ancient Greece contributed enormously to medicine.  The father of medicine was Hippocrates (460–377 B.C.), although some claim that medicine started even earlier in ancient India.  Hippocrates issued the "Hippocratic Oath" that has been required of medical students around the world as a condition of graduation.  It originally stated in part:  "I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous.  I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce [[abortion]]."  People who profit from abortion today refuse to obey the Oath, and most medical schools have improperly omitted this key part of the Oath.

Archimedes (285 to 212 B.C.) lived in the Greek city-state of Syracuse and is considered as one of the finest mathematicians of all time.  He discovered "pi", the ratio between the circumference of a circle to its diameter.  He discovered the relationship between the surface and volume of a sphere and its circumscribing cylinder.  He discovered "Archimedes' principle" allegedly when he was sitting in a bathtub one day, recognizing that volume of a body can be measured by seeing how much the water rises when the body is submerged.  He supposedly ran into town naked from his bathtub declaring "eureka!", meaning "I have found it!"  Archimedes also invented military devices useful for keeping the Roman soldiers out, although eventually they conquered his city-state and senselessly killed him, an idiotic act of violence typical of the Romans.  The "Archimedes screw" is a very clever way to use a large screw surrounded by a pipe to remove water from the bottom of a boat or basement.

Archimedes (285 to 212 B.C.) lived in the Greek city-state of Syracuse and is considered to be one of the finest mathematicians of all time.  He discovered "pi", the ratio between the circumference of a circle to its diameter.  He discovered the relationship between the surface and volume of a sphere and its circumscribing cylinder.  He discovered "Archimedes' principle" allegedly when he was sitting in a bathtub one day, recognizing that volume of a body can be measured by seeing how much the water rises when the body is submerged.  He supposedly ran into town naked from his bathtub declaring "eureka!", meaning "I have found it!"  Archimedes also invented military devices useful for keeping the Roman soldiers out, although eventually Romans conquered his city-state and then senselessly killed him.  The "Archimedes screw" is a very clever way to use a large screw surrounded by a pipe to remove water from the bottom of a boat or basement.

   

   

Other mathematicians from the Greek empire are just as famous.  Euclid (325–265 B.C.) lived in Hellenistic Alexandria, Egypt, and invented geometry.  Pythagoras (582–507 B.C.) lived much earlier than Archimedes and Euclid, and was a philosopher, mathematician and teacher.  He is often credited with proving the Pythagorean Theorem for calculating the length of a hypotenuse in a right triangle, but actually the Mesopotamians discovered it first.  The Greek astronomer Aristarchus (310-230 B.C.) understood and taught that the earth revolved around the sun.  Greek poetry and drama was tremendous too.  

Other mathematicians from the Greek empire are just as famous.  Euclid (325–265 B.C.) lived in Hellenistic Alexandria (located in Egypt), and invented geometry.  Pythagoras (582–507 B.C.) lived much earlier than Archimedes and Euclid, and was a philosopher, mathematician and teacher.  He is often credited with proving the Pythagorean Theorem for calculating the length of a hypotenuse in a right triangle, but actually the Mesopotamians discovered it first.  The Greek astronomer Aristarchus (310-230 B.C.) understood and taught that the earth revolved around the sun.  Greek poetry and drama was tremendous too.  

Ancient Greece also produced a great orator and statesman, Demosthenes (384-322 B.C.).  As a young man, Demosthenes had very weak lungs and could not speak loudly or clearly.  However, he did not let this defeat him; to improve his voice, Demosthenes would go to the ocean, fill his mouth with pebbles, and practice speaking loudly enough for his voice to be heard over the waves!  He went on to give powerful political speeches -- known as the "Phillipics" -- against Philip II of Macedon, once causing the crowd to shout, "Let us take up arms and march!"  But in 338 B.C. Philip of Macedon completely conquered the Greeks at the battle of Chaeronea.  Demosthenes' life later ended in failure when an Athenian revolt against Macedon was unsuccessful.

Ancient Greece also produced a great orator and statesman, Demosthenes (384-322 B.C.).  As a young man, Demosthenes had very weak lungs and could not speak loudly or clearly.  However, he did not let this defeat him; to improve his voice, Demosthenes would go to the ocean, fill his mouth with pebbles, and practice speaking loudly enough for his voice to be heard over the waves!  He went on to give powerful political speeches -- known as the "Phillipics" -- against Philip II of Macedon, once causing the crowd to shout, "Let us take up arms and march!"  But in 338 B.C. Philip of Macedon completely conquered the Greeks at the battle of Chaeronea.  Demosthenes' life later ended in failure when an Athenian revolt against Macedon was unsuccessful.