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Pythagoras

Pythagoras and the Pythagorean School

Pythagoras and the Pythagorean School

Pythagoras was not Greek, but Phoenician, born to a relatively wealthy family on the island of Samos.   Samos was governed by Polycrates, an infamous tyrant.   Pythagoras was well educated, having been taught by the philosopher Pherekydes.   The great teacher Thales and his student Anaximander were the ones who introduced Pythagoras to mathematical ideas.   Thales advised Pythagoras to travel to Egypt to learn more about mathematics and astronomy.   The Egyptians taught him geometry and it was the secrecy of the Egyptian priests, their refusal to eat beans, their refusal to wear even cloths made from animal skins, and their striving for purity were all customs that Pythagoras would later adopt (PythagorasPythagoras was taken prisoner and sent to Babylon by the Persians when they who Polycrates allied with attacked Egypt.   He was released, and sent back to Samos.   Pythagoras left Samos for Croton, a prosperous town in Southern Italy.   It was there where Pythagoras developed most of his ideas and theories.   In Croton, he founded a society of disciples which grew to be very influential for the times, and even today.   His most noteworthy impression is that he did not leave any original writings.   Most everything that is known about Pythagoras has been handed down by philosophers and historiographers.   The Pythagorean School was made up of men and women.   Both genders were treated equally, which was very uncommon for the time.   Several women from the society became famous philosophers (Pythagoras).   The Pythagoreans adhered to certain mysteries, similar in many respects to the Orphic mysteries.   Obedience and silence, abstinence from food, simplicity in dress and possessions, and the habit of frequent self-examination were prescribed (Temple of Pythagoras).   All of the society's members practiced strict religious tenets which included transmigration of souls and abstaining from eating beans....