Comment by westurner

But could the Greeks sail?

Did ancient (Eastern?) Jacob's Staff surveying and navigation methods account for the curvature of the earth? https://www.google.com/search?q=Did%20ancient%20(Eastern%3F)... :

- History of geodesy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_geodesy

FWIU Egyptian sails are Phoenician in origin.