Final answer:
Geometry developed as a way to measure land and build structures, later advanced by Greeks who applied it to understand the cosmos. The Pythagoreans, notably Pythagoras, greatly contributed to its theoretical framework. Greek and Roman cosmology, along with tradition of using Greek and Latin in sciences, illustrate the lasting impact of early geometry on modern science.
Step-by-step explanation:
Development of Geometry
The study of geometry likely developed as a practical tool for measuring land and constructing architectural structures among the ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians and Babylonians. It was the Greeks, however, who transformed these practical measuring techniques into an abstract system of understanding space and form, giving rise to geometry as a systematic branch of mathematics. The Greek term 'geo' meaning 'earth' and 'metron' meaning 'measuring' hints at the study's origins in physical measurements of the Earth's surface for purposes such as agriculture, construction, and astronomy.
The Greeks, specifically the Pythagoreans, made significant strides in geometry. With pioneers like Pythagoras, who established the famous Pythagorean theorem, they advanced the study from practical applications to a theoretical framework that was used to understand the cosmos, as seen in the early Greek and Roman cosmology. This theoretical focus led geometry to become part of the foundation of the sciences, with its principles being applied to various fields, including geography, as demonstrated by Eratosthenes, who calculated the Earth's circumference using principles of geometry.
The synthesis of knowledge, from observations of the natural world to the formation of a systemic way of knowing through definitions, propositions, and logical reasoning, laid the groundwork for modern science. This intrinsic connection between mathematics, specifically geometry, and the sciences is exemplified by the continued use of Greek and Latin terminology, a tradition stemming from these languages being the lingua franca of the educated and the scholarly works of antiquity.