The first Ionian philosopher , Thales , was known for his ability to measure the distance of a ship at sea from a cliff by the very method Pytheas used to determine the latitude of Massalia , the trigonometric ratios .
Massalia was an Ionian colony .
The first Ionian philosopher , Thales , was known for his ability to measure the distance of a ship at sea from a cliff by the very method Pytheas used to determine the latitude of colony , the trigonometric ratios .
Massalia was an Ionian colony .