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Claudius Ptolemy

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Astronomer

The Resume

    (circa 90-circa 168)
    Born in Egypt
    Astronomer/mathematician/geographer/astrologer
    Lived in Alexandria
    Believed to be either a Greek or a Hellenized Egyptian
    Wrote 'The Almagest' on astronomy, 'Geographia,' and 'Tetrabiblios' on astrology

Why he might be annoying:

    Medieval translations of his works often referred to him as 'Ptolemy, King of Alexandria,' apparently mistaking him for one of the Ptolemies who ruled Egypt between Alexander the Great and the Romans.
    His 'Almagest' popularized the geocentric (earth-centered) view of the universe.
    The tables of locations in his 'Geographia' include numerous errors. (Although some of these, such as the southernmost point of Malaysia being moved south of the equator, were mistakes made by scribes copying his works.)

Why he might not be annoying:

    His 'Almagest' is the most comprehensive source of information about ancient Greek astronomy.
    'Geographia' was consulted by Columbus, Da Gama, Magellan and other Renaissance explorers during their travels.
    He had craters on the Moon and Mars and an asteroid named after him.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 7 Votes: 85.71% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 30.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 6 Votes: 16.67% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 22 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 95 Votes: 51.58% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 15 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying