The Beginning

Nothing is more active than thought, for it travels over the universe, and nothing is stronger than necessity for all must submit to it. ~Thales

Ancient Greek philosophy contains not only philosophers from Greece but all philosophers who studied in ancient Greece and spoke and wrote in Greek/Hellenic. Ancient Greeks are the first people of the old century that knows itself as a free nation. It was not only political freedom, but the freedom of spirit that is embodied in the ancient Hellenic request: Γνώθι σαυτόν (Know thyself!)!

Thales lived in Asia Minor which was the Greek city-states bordered Persia. This area was known as Ionia. By opinion of many world wide scholars, Thales was first and only person from that period who claimed that natural phenomena were caused by forces of nature.People of this period believed that every natural phenomena were the work of Gods. It was understandable for the level of education and cultural development of that time.

Tales was a first man who is actually set up a scientific way of thinking not only philosophical.

He established the Ionian School of philosophy. This school was continued by his well-known student Anaximander. This school has influenced the famous teachings of philosophy that were later developed in Athens by Socrates and other very important philosophers.