In other words, the universe is made of math and the more we understand this vast interplay of numbers, the more we can understand nature itself. To put it more bluntly, mathematics exists independent of humans -- that it was here before we evolved and will continue on long after we're extinct.

Archimedes is widely regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians in history, earning him the title of the "Father of Mathematics." Born in Syracuse, Sicily, in 287 BC, Archimedes was a polymath who made significant contributions to a wide range of fields, including mathematics, physics, engineering, and astronomy.

Around 3000 BCE, the Sumerians developed a numerical system based on the sexagesimal system (base 60), which is still in use for measuring time (seconds, minutes, and degrees in a circle) today. They also made strides in geometry, algebra, and arithmetic.

The Fields Medal was not the first of Mirzakhani's accolades. She was a Clay Mathematics Research Fellow, she won the Clay Research Award and the AMS Blumenthal award, and was elected a member of the French Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.