Pythagoras of Samos
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
Pythagoras of Samos: (b. c569 BC-475 BC). Mathematician and mystical philosopher. Born on the Aegean island of Samos in c569 BC, Pythagoras was the son of Mnesarchus, a Phoenician merchant from the city of Tyre, and Pythais, a Greek woman of Samos. According to Porphyry, Mnesarchus had brought much needed grain to Samos during a time of famine and was rewarded with a grant of citizenship. As soon as Pythagoras was old enough, he began to accompany his father on voyages and visited many of the land of the eastern Mediterranean. Some accounts say that Mnesarchus brought him back to Tyre where Pythagoras received instruction from the Chaldaeans, the foremost astrologers of their time, and other teachers. For three years he studied at Tyre, Sidon, and Byblos, receiving initiation into secret mystery rites (c548 BC), which included the revelation of higher mathematics. He also continued his voyages with his father and in believed to have made his first visit to Greek Italy during this time.
Most of the details of Pythagoras’s early life are uncertain, dating to writers of much later date. Some things, however, seem to have a certain degree of reliability. There is no genuine description of his appearance although he is though to have had an unusual birthmark on his thigh. He probably had siblings, but the sources differ whether he had two or three brothers. It seems certain that his education was extensive. Besides the “mystical” Chaldaeans, he also was educated in Greek philosophy. Sources name Pherekydes, Thales, and Anaximander as his tutors. These last two lived at Miletus would have furthered Pythagoras’ education in mathematics (especially geometry) and astronomy.
Pythagoras returned home to Samos where he became friends with Polycrates, who had seized power at tyrant on the island. Carrying letters of introduction from Polycrates, Pythagoras visited Egypt in c535 BC, where he was allowed to visit a number of temples and be familiarized with many of the Egyptian mysteries. These seem to have brought him even greater enlightenment into the mysteries of mathematics.
In 525 BC, Pythagoras was still in Egypt when he was caught up in the Persian invasion under Cambysis II. Taken prisoner by the Persians, he was taken as a captive to Babylon. While there he made the best of his situation by learning all that he could about the religion, mysticism, arts and sciences of the Babylonians. It was here that he discovered much about the relationships of mathematics and music.
Having regained his freedom, Pythagoras returned to Samos in c520 BC. There is some conflict in the sources as to whether the island was still under the rule of Polycrates at this time or under Persian control. Soon after this Pythagoras visited Crete, where spent time studying law. Upon returning to Samos, he founded his first school, known as the Semicircle, in which he began to reveal some of the knowledge that he gained over the years.
The date and the reason for Pythagoras’s final departure from Samos are much debated. According to Iamblichus, his teachings were not well received by the Samians and he found himself constantly being imposed upon for civic duties. Whatever the causes, Pythagoras abandoned his school at Samos and relocated himself at Croton (modern Crotone) in Magna Graecia. There are a wide range of dates as to when Pythagoras moved to Italy. Sources put it as early as c530 BC to as late as c518 BC.
Pythagoras found Croton a most welcoming place and he was given unrestricted license in establishing his school there. Thanks to his influence, Croton was to enter a period of great economical prosperity and political dominance, and military strength. The Pythagorean School will spread throughout much of the Greek world and have a long-lasting effect on western thought for centuries thereafter. The school centered on an inner circle of male and female initiates known as mathematikoi. This group lived permanently within the Society under the direct control of Pythagoras, renouncing all personal possessions and subsisting on a strict vegetarian diet. The majority of the Society consisted of an outer circle known as the akousmatics. Members of the outer group lived in their own homes and had access to the Society only at in the daytime. Unlike the mathematikoi, the akousmatics had no restrictions on their diet or behavior and could own personal possessions.
Pythagoreanism was based particular principles:
1. True reality is based on mathematics.
2. Spiritual purification was attainable through the study of philosophy.
3. The soul can rise to union with the divine.
4. Certain symbols have hidden mystical meanings.
5. The mathematikoi must observe strict loyalty and obedience to the Society.
The Society was devoted to the religious, political, moral and social reform of all society.
Pythagoras appears to have made only one extended voyage after settling at Croton. In 513 BC, he went to Delos to visit his old tutor Pherekydes, who was close to death.
The success which Pythagoras brought to Croton proved to ultimately be his downfall. In 510 BC, Croton went to war with its neighbor, Sybaris. Victorious on the battlefield, the Crotoniates finalized their triumph with the complete destruction of Sybaris and the near-total massacre of its people. Much of the credit for Croton’s success was given to Pythagoras and the members of his school. Croton now controlled a large portion of southern Italy, and Pythagoras was the spiritual leader of Croton.
For the next few years, the Pythagoreans enjoyed great success and power. Membership in the school was a mark of highest status and sought by many. One such hopeful was Cylon, a man of Croton, of great wealth and high birth, but low character. Pythagoras refused to admit Cylon, who promised revenge on the philosopher and his followers.
Cylon was able to rouse resentment in Croton up against the Pythagoreans. Forced to flee from Croton, Pythagoras went to Metapontum. As with so much about his life, the details of Pythagoras death are much debated. His passing is dated between 490 BC and 475 BC. His school, however, survived him, though its exact fate it also uncertain. Pythagoreanism certainly played a strong role in influencing later Greek philosophy and science.
This page is part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy. ← Back to the A–Z index