Heraclides Ponticus
Heraclides (or Heracleides) Ponticus, (fourth century B.C.), a Greek philosopher. He is said to have been the first to declare that the nightly rising and setting of the stars is caused by the earth rotating on its own axis. He is also said to have stated that Mercury and Venus revolve around the sun. Heraclides Ponticus studied under Plato. Only fragments of his works remain.