Greek mathematics began in the 6th century BCE However, we don't know much about why people studied mathematics during that time. There are no records of mathematicians' thoughts about their work, their goals, or their methods (Hodgkin, 40). Regardless of your motivation for pursuing mathematical astronomy, we see some impressive mathematical books written by Hippocrates, Plato, Eudoxus, Euclid, Archimedes, Apollonius, Hipparchus, Heron, and Ptolemy. I will argue that Ptolemy was the most integral part of the history of Greek astronomy. Mathematics and astronomy are closely related. They are the mathematical procedures that help define time and space. However, Greek culture also plays a role. With a Greek mentality one would simply believe that the universe is composed of perfect circles. This idea is rooted in the work of Plato and Aristotle. Plato believed that celestial bodies were divine because their movement was consistent, while the Earth is constantly changing. Plato believed that the Earth was at the center of the universe and that all celestial bodies orbited it on perfectly uniform circular paths. He chose a circular path because circles have no corners or edges. They are continuous like the movement of the planets (Cassidy, 9). Likewise, Aristotle believed that the circle was a symbol of continuity. He applied this idea of ​​continuity to the notion of time, which has no beginning or end. (Aristotle, IV) He also said that the circle is "the perfect, first, most beautiful shape". (Wikipedia, Perfection) Ptolemy lived from approximately 90 AD to 168 AD (Wikipedia, Ptolemy) and grew up in Alexandria, Egypt. Throughout his life he studied astronomy and worked extensively on astrology, g...... middle of paper ......co.uk/ptolemy.htmlLahanas, M.Ptolemy's Astronomy. Retrieved March 1, 2011, from http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/PtolemyAstronomy.htm Professor Craig Fraser. (February 14, 2011). HPS390 ClassRetrograde motion. (2010). Retrieved March 1, 2011, from http://www.lasalle.edu/~smithsc/Astronomy/retrograd.htmlSwerdlow, N., & Neugebaur, O. (1984). Mathematical astronomy in Copernicus' de revolutionibus. New York: Springer-Verlag. Wikipedia. (2011). Almagest. Retrieved March 1, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AlmagestWikipedia. (2011). Lower and higher planets. Retrieved March 1, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inferior_and_superior_planetsWikipedia. (2011). Perfection. Retrieved March 1, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PerfectionWikipedia. (2011). Ptolemy. Retrieved March 1, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy