Get ready to discover the secrets of mathematical thinking and learn the history of ancient Greek mathematics at the «Hellenic Cosmos» Cultural Centre.

Interactive and digital applications, Virtual Reality exhibits, texts, impressive projections, and constructions create a unique exhibition, utilizing modern technology.

This is an impressive exhibition at the «Hellenic Cosmos» Cultural Centre that covers the history of mathematics and the development of mathematical thinking in the ancient Greek world, its influence on other sciences and arts, such as astronomy, mathematical geography, and music. It highlights the most important "episodes" and figures in the history of Greek mathematics, such as Thales, Euclid, and Pythagoras.



Through a series of interactive activities, visitors encounter the numerical systems of the Egyptians and Babylonians. They become familiar with Thales’ theorem, the triangular and square numbers of the Pythagoreans, the Pythagorean theorem, and the concept of mathematical proof. Thanks to the educational and entertaining nature of the exhibition, visitors discover how mathematics can be interesting, enjoyable, and understandable.

At the exhibition, you will…

… write numbers using the hieroglyphic symbols of the ancient Egyptians and the cuneiform script of the Babylonians.

… try to divide exactly 6 loaves of bread among 10 men and discover how the ancient Egyptians managed it, as presented in the Rhind Papyrus, one of the most extensive and well-known texts of Egyptian mathematics.

… search for shapes around you, as Thales and the Ionian philosophers did, and draw them in the sand with a stick.

… learn how Thales calculated the height of the Cheops pyramid with just a rope and his keen observation skills...

… meet Pythagoras, the man who saw numbers everywhere, and experiment with the musical scale on his monochord.

… ponder whether there is a solution to everything using a compass and straightedge, and learn about the three unsolved problems of antiquity.

… find out how the bath of an ancient polymath mathematician inspired a fundamental law of hydrostatics and how the word "Eureka" became famous.

… see how Eratosthenes, with minimal resources, managed to calculate the Earth's circumference with remarkable accuracy.

… experiment with the abacus, the tool used for calculations and arithmetic by the ancients.

… wonder where our knowledge of ancient Greek mathematics comes from.

… solve a practical arithmetic problem from the 15th century, helping a lady find out how many eggs she was holding before they broke.

Digital applications coexist with physical interactive exhibits, such as constructions, providing visitors with a unique “living” tour of the world of ancient Greek mathematics. Children learn through play, and adults are enchanted by the allure of mathematical science.

For the first time, the exhibition offers unique Virtual Reality experiences thanks to the advanced programs of the «Hellenic Cosmos», the «Ark», the first virtual reality system in Greece, and the «Virtual Cinema»

The new enriched exhibition, curated by the team of the Foundation of the Hellenic World, continues the exhibition previously held with great success at the «Hellenic Cosmos» Cultural Centre, crafted with the expertise of FHW scientists and the generous support of the Hellenic Mathematical Society, while the scientific curation was undertaken by history of mathematics specialist, Professor Yiannis Christianidis. The museological study was conducted by Alexandra Nikiforidou, Andromachi Gazi, and Theano Mousouri, and the museographic study was curated by Stamatis Zannos.

Reviews of the exhibition

"What I feel cannot be expressed. What I experienced here was thrilling. I loved mathematics before, and now I especially adore it!!!"

"Even though I’m not enthusiastic about mathematics, the exhibition captured my interest and made me see it from a whole new perspective!"

"The mathematics exhibition demonstrates the way math should be taught in school. Every math student and teacher should visit it to gain ideas for teaching mathematics."

"The mathematics exhibition was wonderful and suitable for students. The depiction of how to measure the height of the pyramid is incredibly accurate, the best I've seen so far. Thank you for the amazing tour."