“Great civilizations are not murdered. Instead, they take their own lives.” The great historian Arnold Toynbee concluded this ...

Adriana Zuniga-Teran does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations ...

Ancient scientists can be easy to dismiss. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest sci-tech news updates. Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus, often described as the West's first scientist, ...