Eratosthenes of Cyrene
Measured the Earth
Greek polymath (c.276-194 BC), chief librarian of Alexandria.
Using only shadows, a well, and geometry, he calculated Earth's circumference with astonishing accuracy — over two thousand years ago. Nicknamed 'Beta' because he was second-best at everything, he was arguably first at being well-rounded.
Famous for
- Calculated Earth's circumference
- Sieve of Eratosthenes (prime numbers)
- Headed the Library of Alexandria
In Rubicon
Eratosthenes of Cyrene is one of the historical characters you can play as in Rubicon, a trivia game where you answer in your own words and an AI judge reads what you meant. Eratosthenes of Cyrene is filed under Earth & Space, and is strongest at Earth & Space and Geography & Places.
Others in Earth & Space
- Claudius Ptolemy — Ancient astronomer + geographer
- Caroline Herschel — First paid female astronomer
- Maria Mitchell — First American woman astronomer
- Tycho Brahe — Master of the naked-eye sky
- Annie Jump Cannon — Classified the stars