<P> Aristarchus of Samos and Hipparchus seem to have been among the first Greek scientists to exploit Babylonian astronomical knowledge and techniques systematically . Timocharis, Aristarchus, Aristillus, Archimedes, and Hipparchus were the first Greeks known to divide the circle in 360 degrees of 60 arc minutes . Eratosthenes used a simpler sexagesimal system dividing a circle into 60 parts . </P> <P> The division of the circle into 360 parts also occurred in ancient India, as evidenced in the Rigveda: </P> <P> Twelve spokes, one wheel, navels three . </P> <P> Who can comprehend this? On it are placed together three hundred and sixty like pegs . They shake not in the least . </P>

An angle with a measurement of 60 degrees is called