The First of the Bêta: Notes on Eratosthenes’ Invention of Geography

Résumé En

The “Library of Alexandria” is the symbolic “lieu de savoir”, fundamental for the invention of geography. By keeping in mind the uniqueness of this context, we can understand the history of the way we conceive of our Earth. We can further understand the making of the ancient world by logical and purely intellectual articulation of data collected during the expeditions of Alexander the Great and of his Diadochi, the invention of the geographical map as a better way of communicating space and its domination, and the creation of scientific methods which are still a part of our education in school. These are only some of the reasons for looking back to Alexandria, making modern, complete and critical editions of fragmentary works like the Geography of Eratosthenes, reconstructing the landscapes and their ancient perceptions, and understanding the fabric of western knowledge as part of our identity.