This episode explores the pivotal encounter in Nicolaus Copernicus's later life when he met the young mathematician known as Rheticus. Rheticus, a prodigy from the University of Wittenberg, sought out Copernicus in Frombork, Poland, to learn more about his heliocentric theory. Despite their differences, Rheticus and Copernicus's collaboration that resulted in the publication of Copernicus's groundbreaking work, 'On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres.'  Contact: thecompletehistoryofscience@gmail.com Twitter: @complete_sci Music Credit: Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licens ..read more

Contact: thecompletehistoryofscience@gmail.com Twitter: @complete_sci Music Credit: Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License ..read more

Contact: thecompletehistoryofscience@gmail.com Twitter: @complete_sci Music Credit: Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License ..read more

In this episode we delve into the life and legacy of the enigmatic Roger Bacon. Once considered a magician with fantastical abilities, Bacon's reputation transformed over the centuries, oscillating between mystical figure and scientific pioneer. Born in 1220, Bacon's journey through Oxford, Paris, and his unexpected entry into the Franciscan order unfolds against the backdrop of a changing Europe. Join us as we explore Bacon's intricate blend of philosophy, optics, and experimental science, shedding light on his revolutionary contributions to the pursuit of knowledge. Contact: thecompletehisto ..read more

In the later medieval period, Europe's bustling new cities developed a new type of institution, The University.  In this episode we explore the early university and in particular its relationship with Aristotle's natural philosophy, which would form the core of the curriculum. Contact: thecompletehistoryofscience@gmail.com Twitter: @complete_sci Music Credit: Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License ..read more

In the 12th century a young man set out in search of a book.  The Almagest, the great work of astronomy had disappeared from western Europe and had long ceased to be read.  The young man, Gerard, eventually found the work in Toledo, Spain and translated it into Latin.  This story however, is only part of a Europe wide movement, whereby many of the great Greek works would finally become available.   Contact: thecompletehistoryofscience@gmail.com Twitter: @complete_sci Music Credit: Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 ..read more

After the collapse of the Roman Empire, western Europe fractured into many small petty states.  A period of economic contraction coincided with a decline in learning and during the early medieval age Europe entered a nadir.  However, the church kept some form of ancient scientific thought alive and figures such as Isidore of Seville and the Venerable Bede worked to preserve this knowledge.   Contact: thecompletehistoryofscience@gmail.com Twitter: @complete_sci Music Credit: Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License ..read more

In the late 10th, early 11th century two great men debated the causes of natural phenomena.  One of them was the greatest philosopher of the age, Ibn Sina, who had refined Aristotle's philosophy into a finely honed system.  The other, al-Biruni,  was perhaps the greatest polymath of the age, who invented new fields of study and whose devotion to observation was unparalleled.  In a series of letters the two men clashed over large cosmological questions and everyday phenomena and their exchange stands as one the most important intellectual debates of the age.   Contact ..read more

While al-Haytham's visual theory was a clear triumph, his work also had a more subtle but profound effect.  His treatment of light as a quanitity which was related to but independent of vision was an important step on the path to our modern understanding of optics.  In this episode we explore the other parts of his 'Book of Optics' as well as the achievement of his forgotten contemporary Ibn Sahl. Contact: thecompletehistoryofscience@gmail.com Twitter: @complete_sci Music Credit: Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License ..read more

Tracing the emergence of medicine in the Islamic world and its embrace of Galen, this week's episode explores the progress made in treatments and anatomy by Islamic scientists.   Contact: thecompletehistoryofscience@gmail.com Twitter: @complete_sci Music Credit: Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License ..read more