Unit:
Τομέας Αστροφυσικής, Αστρονομίας και ΜηχανικήςLibrary of the School of Science
Dissertation committee:
Ξ. Μουσάς- Καθηγητής ΕΚΠΑ (Επιβλέπων), Χ. Φίλη-Ομ. Καθηγήτρια ΕΚΠΑ, Π. Πρέκα-Παπαδήμα Επίκ.Καθηγήτρια ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Μετρήσεις χρόνου και σχετικά Αστρονομικά Όργανα στην Ελληνική Αρχαιότητα: Το ρολόι του Ανδρόνικου Κυρρήστου (Πύργος των Ανέμων) και άλλα αρχαία ηλιακά ωρολόγια. Προτάσεις και εφαρμογές εκπαιδευτικών δράσεων για τη διδασκαλία σχετικών εννοιών στην εκπαίδευση
Translated title:
Measuring time and astronomical Instruments in Greek Antiquity: The sundials of the Horologion of Andronikos Kyrrhestes (Tower of the Winds) and other ancient sundials. Proposals and educational activities for teaching related notions
Summary:
The aim of the thesis is to establish the methods of measuring time with
ancient astronomical instruments and to determine their manufacturing accuracy.
Conclusions were drawn from both the study of the work of ancient Greek
astronomers (Aratus, Hipparchus, Claudius Ptolemy) and by in situ measurements
taken after elaborately study of ancient marble sundials kept in the National
Archaeological Museum, the Epigraphical Museum, the Stoa of Attalos in the
Ancient Agora of Athens and the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus. The study was
extended to the most important astronomical monument of Athens, the Horologion
of Andronikos Kyrrhestes in the Roman Agora, also known as the Tower of Winds.
From the geometrical characteristics of the planar sundials of different
orientations which are engraved in the upper external part of the octagonal
building conclusions were drawn for their manufacturing accuracy and the
optimal place where their gnomons should be set in order to operate accurately
at the geographical latitude of Athens. Finally there were proposed educational
activities for teachers interested in teaching topics related to ancient Greek
sundials and other astronomical issues to students of Primary and Secondary
Education (K-12 Educational System) based on inquiring based learning (IBL). An
integrated educational proposal was performed entitled "The sundials of the
Tower of the Winds" and other educational activities were also proposed so as
students to become familiar with the research procedures, the terms and notions
of astronomical knowledge through education.
Keywords:
Αncient Greek sundials, Horologion of Andronikos Kyrrhestes, Τeaching astronomy, Measuring time, Ancient Greek Astronomers
