Pythagoras of Samo was a Greek philosopher and mathematician whose legacy transcended the millennia. However, the author of the essential theorem that bears his name did not leave a written legacy of himself. It was his disciples who narrated the story of his life and his philosophy, which influenced others such as Aristotle or Plato.
The disciples of Pythagoras of Samos wrote their history
His history is based on biographies written by his disciples and followers, since there is no writing written by him himself. Which gives his existence an aura of mystery and legend. Some of those biographical stories were passed down by word of mouth, until he was assigned almost divinity-like powers.
It is known with certainty that Pythagoras was born on Samos, an island in the Aegean Sea, in the year 572 BC. Probably, around 532 BC, he emigrated to Italy because he did not agree with the tyranny prevailing in Samos. There he established the Etico-Political school, where he had many disciples.
Lack of information about its history confuses historians
Little information is known about his life, which affects his thoughts. It is difficult for historians to distinguish between their own and those of his disciples and students, since they always mention Pythagoras, his teacher, as a reference.
Another setback that biographers encounter is that the first writings about his life and work date back to the 4th century BC, 150 years after his death. Therefore, word of mouth is the greatest source of information. This being so, his story may be distorted.
For the Pythagorean school, numbers have a special meaning for the world, the arts and music. For him, numbers ruled the world and he even assigned mystical powers to them. Pythagoras is attributed divine powers. He had the conviction that the Universe was governed by numerical patterns.
According to the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Pythagoras was a diplomat for Polycrates, governor of Samo. Due to supposed differences between them, Pythagoras emigrated to Egypt, where he developed customs and philosophies that would mark his thoughts. He did not eat vegetables, he did not use animal skin in his clothing and he aspired to have purity of body and spirit.
Pythagoras was a genius of the exact sciences
The academy that Pythagoras created in Cretonne, Italy, had many followers. All of them, according to UNAM, were men and women who were not property owners and were vegetarians.
In addition, they were recognized for their ethical values, honesty, altruism and friendship. However, a political dispute between the cities of Cretonne and Sybaris caused the society to dissolve.
Pythagoras moved to Metaponto, a Greek city located in Italy, where he died, although it is not known reliably in what year it occurred.
In addition to mathematics, he excelled in other sciences. Pythagoras invented the device that allows musicians to know the interval between one musical note and the next.
In astronomy, he also had his contribution. He talked about Venus and presented the idea, although mistaken, that the Earth was the center of the universe.
