Question

Why was Ptolemy's Earth-centered system of epicycles taught throughout Europe for over a thousand years?

Answer 1

Ptolemy's Earth-centered system of epicycles was taught throughout Europe for over a thousand years because this was in line with the religious narrative of the day, which put humans (and therefore the Earth) at the center of God's creation. To imagine a universe in which Earth was not central would be to imagine one in which humans were less important.