Again the opinion of the Greek writers at the beginning of our era may be quoted as showing the high estimation in which, at that time of the world, Indian astronomy was held: as for instance in the life of Apollonius of Tyana (written about 210 A.D. by Philostratus), the wisdom and learning of Apollonius are set high above those of all his contemporaries; but from the sages of India he is represented as learning many things, especially matters of astronomy.[47] [47] _Apollonius of Tyana_, Book iii. chapter 13. This high opinion held by Greeks in regard to Indian astronomy may be contrasted with the very moderate praise bestowed on the Grecian science by Garga, a Hindu writer of, it is supposed, the first century B.C. He says:-- “The Yavanas (Greeks) are Mlechchas (non-Hindus, or barbarians), but amongst them this science (astronomy) is well established. Therefore they are honoured as Rishis (saints); how much more then an astronomer who is a Brahman?”[48] [48] Romesh Chunder Dutt, _Ancient India_, p. 136. Somewhat to the same effect speaks a Hindu author of a later date, Varāhamihira, who wrote an astronomical dissertation treating of five different works known to him on the science of astronomy. He says:-- “There are the following Siddhântas: The Pauliśa, the Romaka, the Vâsisṭha, the Saura, and the Paitámaha. Out of these five, the first two (the Pauliśa and Romaka, which appear to have been European treatises) have been explained by Lâṱadeva. The Siddhânta made by Pauliśa is accurate, near to it stands the Siddhánta proclaimed by Romaka; more accurate is the Sávitra (Saura)[49] (_Sūrya Siddhānta_, the _Hindu_ standard work); the two remaining ones are far from the truth.”[50] [49] This opinion of Varāha has been confirmed by modern European scholars. Burgess (from whose translations of the _Sūrya Siddhānta_ we have already quoted) remarks, “in regard to ... the amount of the annual precession of the equinoxes, the relative size of the sun and moon as compared with the earth, the greatest equation of the centre of the sun, the Hindus are more nearly correct than the Greeks.” (_Journal of the American Oriental Society_, vol. vi. p. 480.) [50] _The Pañchasiddhântikâ._ Edited by G. Thibaut, ch. i. § 3.