Galileo Galilei

1. Galileo Galilei

2.

These were:
natural philosophy based on Aristotle’s
incorrect ideas.
the beliefs of the Catholic Church at the time.
evidence-based scientific research.

3.

Although his ideas triumphed, Galileo paid a
high price for his science: he spent the last eight
years of his life under house arrest, and the
Catholic Church banned the publication of
anything written by him.

4. Galileo’s Early Years and Education

Galileo Galilei was born in the Italian city of
Pisa on February 15, 1564. He was the eldest
son of Vincenzo Galilei and Giulia Ammannati.
His father was a well-known composer, who
played the lute, a stringed instrument.

5.

Galileo himself also became a skilled lute
player.
As a young man, Galileo was torn between
training to become a catholic priest or a doctor
of medicine. His father encouraged him to
study medicine, and Galileo took his father’s
advice, starting a medical course at the
University of Pisa when he was 17 years old.
Soon, however, his father’s plans came
unstuck.

6. Galileo’s Scientific Career

At the age of 22, Galileo published a book about a
hydrostatic balance he had invented. In this way
his name became known to other scientists.

7. The End

After eight years of house arrest, Galileo Galilei
died on January 8, 1642, aged 77.