Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
HESS
Articles | Volume 25, issue 5
Articles | Volume 25, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-2419-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Special issue:
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-2419-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 25, issue 5
Research article
 | 
10 May 2021
Research article |  | 10 May 2021

From mythology to science: the development of scientific hydrological concepts in Greek antiquity and its relevance to modern hydrology

Demetris Koutsoyiannis and Nikos Mamassis

Viewed

Total article views: 11,048 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total Supplement BibTeX EndNote
7,065 3,881 102 11,048 380 140 182
  • HTML: 7,065
  • PDF: 3,881
  • XML: 102
  • Total: 11,048
  • Supplement: 380
  • BibTeX: 140
  • EndNote: 182
Views and downloads (calculated since 12 Jan 2021)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 12 Jan 2021)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 11,048 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 10,637 with geography defined and 411 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 04 Dec 2025
Download
Short summary
This paper is the result of new research of ancient and early modern sources about the developments of the concept of the hydrological cycle and of hydrology in general. It shows that the flooding of the Nile was the first geophysical problem formulated in scientific terms in the cradle of natural philosophy and science in the 6th century BC. Aristotle was able to find the correct solution to the problem, which he tested through what it appears to be the first scientific expedition in history.
Read more
Share
Special issue
History of hydrology (HESS/HGSS inter-journal SI)