Anaxagoras of Clazomenaewas a Greek philosopher who made contributions in astronomy and physics. He was the first philosopher to live in Athens and the first to propose several important theories about the cosmos. Among these are theories about the Earth and moon, including the reason for an eclipse and accurate descriptions of the lunar surface. In mathematics, Anaxagoras was the first to attempt squaring the circle.

Not much is known about Anaxagoras life, though records of his theories are preserved. The Greek philosopher was born on the Ionian coast in the town of Clazomenae in Asia Minor (in what is now Turkey). His parents were wealthy but Anaxagoras chose to forsake his life of leisure to study philosophy. In 462 B.C., he moved to Athens, which was rapidly becoming an intellectual center. There he attracted the attention of the politician Periclesas well as the playwright Euripedes. Pericles welcomed...