A History of Marine Science - Understanding the Ocean Began with Voyaging for Trade and Exploration

9 important questions on A History of Marine Science - Understanding the Ocean Began with Voyaging for Trade and Exploration

When did the Greek's start to explore and what did they find?

Outside the Mediterranean into the Atlantic Ocean, they started discovering around 900-700 BC. Early Greek seafarers noticed a current running from north to south beyond Gibraltar. They thought the mass of water was a river at first.

How did the Chinese involve in transportation over the ocean?

They began to engineer an extensive system of inland waterways, some of which connected with the Pacific Ocean, to make long-distance transport convenient.

Why is the Library of Alexandria important?

Progress in Marine Science began at the Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Founded in the 3rd century BC at the behest of Alexander the Great, the library constituted history's greatest accumulation of ancient writings. It could be, together with its adjacent museum, the first university in the world.
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What was an important result of marine science becoming so fascinating?

The cooporation between the university and the commercial community; a partnership that has paid dividends for both science and business ever since.

How were the longitude and latitude invented?

  1. Eratosthenes places the lines of latitude and longitude (which he had invented) through prominent landmarks and important places to create a convenient though irregular grid.
  2. Then Hipparchus invented our present latitude and longitude.
  3. Later Claudius Ptolemy oriented charts by placing east to the right and north at the top. He divided degrees into minutes and seconds or arc.

What was interesting about the Vikings?

They have gotten to many different countries where they have invaded the public in England, Ireland, France and even in Morocco.

How come the Europeans have found their way against the brutal Vikings?

At first, the Europeans were powerless against these marauders, but eventually the need for common defense overcame provincial hostility and xenophobia (fear of the strange). One of these causes of the Renaissance in Europe may have been the experience of banding together for protection against the Vikings.

What was the primary purpose of the Chinese expeditions?

To convince all nations with which the fleet had contact that China was the only truly civilized state and beyond any imaginable need for knowledge and assistance.

What technical innovations did the Chinese perform to make the voyages successful?

  • They invented the compass
  • The invented the central rudder
  • Watertight compartments
  • Sophisticated sails on multiple masts

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