The idea that the Earth was the center of the universe, with the Sun and other planets orbiting around it, is known as the geocentric model. This model was proposed by ancient Greek philosophers, most notably Aristotle in the 4th century BC and later Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD.

Ptolemy's model, described in his book Almagest, was particularly influential as it offered a detailed mathematical framework that could accurately predict the positions of planets in the sky. This model dominated astronomical thought for over 1400 years, until it was challenged by Nicolaus Copernicus in the 16th century.

Key figures who believed in the geocentric model:

* Aristotle: He based his model on philosophical arguments and observations of the night sky.

* Ptolemy: He developed a complex geocentric model, known as the Ptolemaic system, which was used for centuries to predict planetary positions.

It's important to note that the geocentric model was not just a scientific theory but also deeply embedded in the religious and philosophical beliefs of the time. It took a long time for the heliocentric model, with the Sun at the center, to gain acceptance due to its challenges to established views.