A trade crossroads named for a general's wife, it was the home of a great astronomer. However, it is better-known for its association with the development of religious doctrine. What is it, where is it, and what is it called today? And who was the astronomer?

gmackematix

Trade crossroads and religious doctrine kind of suggests Antioch, which unfortunately gets its name from general Seleucus Nicator's father. However, the city does seem to be linked to one of the various ancient sites called Laodicea, the wife of Antiochus II. Not sure about the astronomer yet though so please let me know if I'm heading down the wrong track. Jan 30 06, 8:05 PM

lanfranco

Um, yes, you've veered off a bit. But not wildly. Maybe if you concentrate on the "religious doctrine" angle ... ? Jan 30 06, 9:54 PM

peasypod

The place is Nicaea, the setting for the most famous council of the Christian faith in 325 (source of the extant Nicaene creed). It was renamed by the Thessalian general Lysimachus (Lysimakhos) (c. 355 BC-281 BC) in 301 BC in honour of his wife Nikaia. The astronomer is Hipparchus born c. 194 BC. He was the first Greek to develop quantitative and accurate models for the motion of the Sun and Moon. It is called today Iznik. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%B0znik Jan 31 06, 3:40 AM

lanfranco

Very nice, peasy, a yay! For all of you who've ever wondered where that name "Nicene Creed" came from. Jan 31 06, 8:33 AM