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Around 225BC an Egyptian astronomer and mathematician, Eratosthenes of Cyene devised an instrument called an armillary to represent the ancient Greek concept of the universe. The armillary sphere instrument consisted of a series of metal rings, similar to the hoops of a barrel, joined together in the form of a hollow sphere with a small globe representing the Earth at the centre of the sphere. The instrument showed the heavens encircling the Earth, and the signs of the zodiac were frequently engraved or cast into one of the metal rings. At a later date it was used by astronomers for observational purposes connected with the mathematics of spheres. The assembly of rings was called an armillary after the Latin word ‘armilla’, meaning a bracelet or ring. Originally ten rings were used and they denoted the ten major circles of the celestial and terrestrial spheres placed in the correct relationship to one another. Trivia : The armillary sphere is represented on the flag of Portugal. It is a symbol for the Portuguese Empire and discoveries by the Portuguese throughout history.
