Clime
Clime is a concept of referring to the angle between the axis of the celestial sphere and the horizon, and the terrestrial latitude characterized by this angle. In most cases, it can safely be translated as “latitude”. Normally,
klimata were defined by the length of the longest daylight and associated with specific geographical locations. Different lists of
klimata were in use in Hellenistic and Roman time. Claudius Ptolemy was the first ancient scientist known to have devised the so-called system of seven
klimata which, due to his authority, became one of the canonical elements of late antique, medieval European and Arab geography.
Klimata should not be confused with
modern climatic zones or with the word Climate, although the latter derive their name from the former. Traditionally, starting with Aristotle, the Earth was divided into five zones, assuming two
frigid climes around the poles, an uninhabitable
torrid clime near the equator, and two
temperate climes between the frigid and the torrid ones.