Cosmology

Abstract

Cosmology is as old as civilization itself because every society, however ancient, was deeply concerned about its place in the universe, and the awesome sight of the clear, moonless night sky inevitably stimulated speculation about the nature of the planets, the stars, and the Milky Way. Although the ancient Sumerians, the Babylonians, the Phoenicians, the Egyptians, and the Chaldeans developed an accurate positional astronomy as a guide to their navigation, their agriculture (knowledge of the variations of climate with changes in the position of the sun was absolutely essential), and their calendar making, they never developed a rational cosmology. Their picture of the universe stemmed from their mythology, their astrology, and their theology; thus, it varied from group to group and was primitive, anthropomorphic, and without any rational base.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

—Genesis 1:3