Mathematics 112GA - History of Math Thru Galileo

The ancient world had a surprisingly sophisticated mathematics. From Babylonia to Hellenistic Greece we find examples of mathematics that are worthy of admiration even today. Somehow this high level was abandoned, to be regained only slowly in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. In the early 17th century something mysterious and remarkable happened, often called the Scientific Revolution, coinciding with a new understanding of ancient mathematics. We will use the life and work of Galileo to help organize and understand this story.