  ‘Analysis’ was first used in a methodological sense in  ancient Greek geometry, and the model that Euclidean geometry  provided has been an inspiration ever since. Although Euclid's  Elements dates from around 300 BC, and hence after both  Plato and Aristotle, it is clear that it draws on the work of many  previous geometers, most notably, Theaetetus and Eudoxus, who worked  closely with Plato and Aristotle. Plato is even credited by Diogenes  Laertius (LEP, I, 299) with inventing the method of  analysis, but whatever the truth of this may be, the influence of  geometry starts to show in his middle dialogues, and he certainly  encouraged work on geometry in his Academy.