Interestingly they didn't get to a real explanation. It ended with the idea that for reasons lost to history, Ptolomy appears perhaps to have originated the pr

Interestingly they didn't get to a real explanation. It ended with the idea that for reasons lost to history, Ptolomy appears perhaps to have originated the practice. The thing is, I don't think that is lost to history. Ptolomy was amazingly meticulous and while he didn't spell out why, he was very clear about enough details I think this could be pieced together further.