Classical Gallery

Celestial mechanics, medieval artwork

Celestial mechanics. Coloured historical artwork depicting a medieval pilgrim looking out from the sky (blue) to see the mechanics of the heavens (upper left). Cogs (yellow) can be seen in the left corner, with tracks that the Sun, moon and stars move along. This is an example of the classical geocentric (Ptolemaic) worldview that dates back to Ancient Greek times. It was replaced by the heliocentric (Copernican) model, proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus in 1543. This woodcut is from The Atmosphere by Camille Flammarion, published in 1873

© DETLEV VAN RAVENSWAAY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Sir Isaac Newton, British physicist

Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727), British physicist, mathematician and astronomer. Newton's most famous works are Principia Mathematica (1687) and Opticks (1704). In Principia, he stated his universal laws of motion and defined his law of universal gravitation. This would form the basis of physics for the next two hundred years. In Opticks, Newton discussed his studies into the spectrum of light, showing that it was a mixture of colours. He also invented the reflecting telescope. He was President of the Royal Society from 1703 to 1727, and was knighted in 1705

© Sheila Terry/Science Photo Library

Platos map of Atlantis, artwork

Plato's map of Atlantis, artwork. Artwork of the mythological city of Atlantis, as described by the Ancient Greek philosopher Plato. Plato made the first written references to Atlantis in 360 BC. He suggested that Atlantis was located on an island at the mouth of the Pillars of Hercules in what is now called the Strait of Gibraltar. Despite many expeditions, the existence and location of Atlantis has not yet been confirmed. Legend has it that Atlantis was destroyed by a great flood and was submerged beneath the sea around 9600 BC

© MIKKEL JUUL JENSEN / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY