Here are some key figures and civilizations who held this belief:
* Pythagoras (570-495 BC): While not the first to suggest it, he is often credited with popularizing the idea of a spherical Earth. His reasoning was based on philosophical and mathematical arguments.
* Aristotle (384-322 BC): He provided strong evidence for a spherical Earth based on observations like the changing position of stars in the sky as one travels north or south, the curved shadow of the Earth on the Moon during a lunar eclipse, and the disappearance of ships hull-first over the horizon.
* Eratosthenes (276-194 BC): He is famous for his accurate calculation of the Earth's circumference, further proving its spherical shape.
* Ancient Greeks: Overall, ancient Greek philosophers and astronomers played a significant role in developing and refining the idea of a spherical Earth.
* Ancient Indians: Ancient Indian astronomers also believed in a spherical Earth and accurately calculated its size.
It's important to note that these early beliefs were not always universally accepted. Some cultures held onto the belief of a flat Earth, and it wasn't until the Age of Exploration and the development of better navigational tools that the idea of a spherical Earth became widely accepted.
So, while it's difficult to pinpoint one specific person who "believed" it, the concept of a spherical Earth rotating on its axis evolved over time through the contributions of many individuals and civilizations.
