From Alexandria to Islam: The Algebraic Translation of Euclid and the Convergence of Mathematical Knowledge in the House of Wisdom

Authors

  • Carlos Gamas Departamento de Matemática - Universidade de Coimbra

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14195/1984-249X_15_3

Keywords:

Alexandria, House of Wisdom, Euclides, Al-Khwarismi, Al-Uqlidisi

Abstract

This paper shows how the House of Wisdom was an Islamic version of the Library of Alexandria and a point of wisdom convergence from East and from Western. This convergence increased hugde advances in Mathematics. From India came a numerical decimal system, with its own symbols – what opened way to the abstract and universal language of Algebra. This universality is tested and compro-ved through the translation of the Euclidean propositions in algebric language

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References

AL -KAHLILI, J. (2012). The House of Wisdom. How Arabic science saved ancient knowledge and gave us the renaissance. New York -London.EVES, H. (1990). An Introduction to the History of Mathematics. Pacific Grove, 6ª ed.GAMAS, C. (2013). A Matemática em Alexandria: Convergência e Irradiação. Revista Archai 11, p. 47 -53.GAMAS, C. (2013). Diofanto e os primórdios da Álgebra. in SOARES, C. (ed.), Espaços do pensamento científico da Antiguidade. Coimbra.HEATH, Th. (1921). A History of Greek Mathematics. Vol. II. From Aristarchus to Diophantus, New York, (repr.1981).HEATH, Th. (1985). Diophantos of Alexandria; a Study in the History of Algebra. Cambridge.HODGKIN, L. (2005). A History of Mathematics. From Mesopotamia to Modernity. Oxford.KATZ, V. (1993). A History of Mathematics. An Introduction.New York.KLEIN, J. (1968). Greek Mathematical Thought and the Origin of Algebra. New York (trad. do al. de 1936).LYONS, J. (S/Data). The House of Wisdom. How Arabs transformed Western civilization. London.MARLOWE, J. (1971). The Golden Age of Alexandria. London.MERKELBACH, U.; BOYER, C. (2010). A History of Mathematics, foreword by Asimov. I. New Jersey, 3ªed..STEDALL, J. (2003). The Great Invention of Algebra. Thomas Harriot’s Teatise on Equations. Oxford.

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Published

2025-11-19

How to Cite

Gamas, C. (2025). From Alexandria to Islam: The Algebraic Translation of Euclid and the Convergence of Mathematical Knowledge in the House of Wisdom. Revista Archai, (15), 33. https://doi.org/10.14195/1984-249X_15_3

Issue

No. 15 (2015): Vol. 15 No. 15 (2015): Revista Archai nº15 (july, 2015)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Carlos Gamas

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