also with Egypt. Doubtless this association was of influence in
shaping the development of Thales's mind. Indeed, it was an
accepted tradition throughout classical times that the Milesian
philosopher had travelled in Egypt, and had there gained at least
the rudiments of his knowledge of geometry. In the fullest sense,
then, Thales may be regarded as representing a link in the chain
of thought connecting the learning of the old Orient with the
nascent scholarship of the new Occident. Occupying this position,
it is fitting that the personality of Thales should partake
somewhat of mystery; that the scene may not be shifted too
suddenly from the vague, impersonal East to the individualism of
Europe.

All of this, however, must not be taken as casting any doubt upon
the existence of Thales as a real person. Even the dates of his
life--640 to 546 B.C.--may be accepted as at least approximately
trustworthy; and the specific discoveries ascribed to him
illustrate equally well the stage of development of Greek
thought, whether Thales himself or one of his immediate disciples
were the discoverer. We have already mentioned the feat which was
said to have given Thales his great reputation. That Thales was
universally credited with having predicted the famous eclipse is
beyond question. That he actually did predict it in any precise
sense of the word is open to doubt. At all events, his prediction
was not based upon any such precise knowledge as that of the
modern astronomer. There is, indeed, only one way in which he
could have foretold the eclipse, and that is through knowledge of
the regular succession of preceding eclipses. But that knowledge
implies access on the part of some one to long series of records
of practical observations of the heavens. Such records, as we