Anaxagoras Declares Moon a Rock

In 5th century BC Athens, the philosopher Anaxagoras studied the sky and argued that the moon was a rocky body that reflects sunlight, which let him explain phases and eclipses. His claim treated the moon and sun as natural objects, not gods, and his enemies used impiety charges to strike at his ally Pericles. A court sentenced Anaxagoras to death, but Pericles secured his release, and the philosopher spent his remaining years in exile at Lampsacus.

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