The life of this man is shrouded in many legends. They are so closely intertwined with historical events that it is sometimes impossible to separate one from the other. Not so much has been written about any of the ancient philosophers as about the legendary Pythagoras. This article will be devoted to his brief biography and discoveries.
The birth of a great philosopher
It is known that the homeland of Pythagoras was the Greek island of Samos. Accurate information about the date of his birth was not left. This probably occurred between 580 and 570 BC. e. The father of the boy is called Mnesarch. According to some reports, he was a wealthy merchant who distributed bread to people in a lean year. In other sources, he is called a stone-cutter, as well as a master of gold.
According to legend, the birth of Pythagoras was predicted by Pythia (priestess of the Delphic oracle in the temple of the god Apollo). The happy father found out that his son will be distinguished by beauty and wisdom, and his affairs will benefit all of humanity. To celebrate, he gave his wife a new name, Pythaeid, and named his son Pythagoras, which meant "predicted by Pythia." Mnesarchus tried to give the heir a better education. The boy, in turn, tried to meet the high expectations placed on him.
years of education
Biography of Pythagoras of Samos is full of contradictions. His first teacher is Hermodamas. The boy was interested in the secrets of nature. He practiced painting and music. To train the memory, the teacher made Pythagoras memorize the great Odyssey and the Iliad of the great Homer.
Various sources attribute to him acquaintance with such famous sages as Herekrid of Syros, Thales, Anaximander. However, this cannot be reliably confirmed. It is believed that at age 20, Pythagoras went to Egypt, where he could become a priest under Pharaoh Amazis and was initiated into the secret sciences. Legends say that during the raid of the Persians he was kidnapped. So Pythagoras came to Babylon, where he met with magicians and met with oriental wisdom. Other legends prescribe him trips to Ethiopians, Jews, Indians, Syrians, Arabs, Thracians and even Gali druids.
Homecoming
It is difficult to restore the real biography of Pythagoras. Interesting facts may turn out to be rumors, because the first evidence of this person that came to us appeared two centuries after his death.
It is known that after a long absence he returned to Samos. Pythagoras was then from 40 to 56 years old, according to various sources. He was acquainted with many secret sciences and mysteries, and wanted to preach his teachings. It is believed that it was Pythagoras who was the first person to call himself a philosopher ("striving for wisdom"). Before him, the word "sophist" was mainly used, i.e. already wise.
However, at home, becoming a preacher did not work. In those years, Samosom was ruled by Polycrates, with whom the philosopher did not have a good relationship. He considered himself underrated by compatriots. Moreover, Pythagoras was forced to take an active part in public affairs, while he wanted to carry his teachings to people. As a result, he chose life in a foreign land and sailed on a sailboat to southern Italy. The place of his refuge for 30 years was the city of Croton.
Pythagorean Union
When the philosopher arrived at Croton, the city was going through difficult times. Being a strong leader and politician, Pythagoras was able to take advantage of this situation in order to gain credibility. Soon they began to praise him as an excellent educator, and many young men of aristocratic descent wanted to get to his students.
So a kind of brotherhood arose, which included only the initiates. Pythagoras is a person who strove to create an ideal society. He rigidly selected his followers. Beginners were initially allowed only to the gymnasium, where it was possible to participate in sports games, throw darts or improve in running. They found themselves in an atmosphere of courtesy and goodwill, where they listened to their words without condemnation and at the same time carefully watched each movement.
Then came a series of crucial tests. The young man had to spend the night in a terrible cave, where, according to legend, the spirits lived. If he withstood this, he was locked in a cell for 12 hours with a mug of water and a piece of bread. During this time, it was necessary to solve a complex problem. When the subject was taken to a general trial, everyone ridiculed him. Anyone with dignity responding to sharp attacks, was in the ranks of the initiates. The rest were cast out in disgrace.
The doctrine of incarnation and morality
Inside the Pythagorean order, strict rules reigned. Young men had to live according to the principles of healthy asceticism and try to do only good deeds. This was due to the mystical views of the head of the school.
Pythagoras is a philosopher who fully believes in the transmigration of souls. According to his beliefs, man has a divine nature, but during evolution he lost touch with the spiritual principle and was clothed in a material body. His soul is locked in the shackles of the flesh, but the desire for happiness and the highest truth is alive in it. Endlessly languishing souls change bodies, gaining experience and knowledge. Their goal is to become perfect and ultimately unite with God, in whose image they were created.
For this, it is necessary to observe the principles of morality, to be honest and sincere with other people, and also to learn the basics of the universe. This will allow a person to live in harmony with the outside world.
Space
The biography of Pythagoras and his discoveries are penetrated through with mysticism, behind which logic and the desire for knowledge of reality are visible. It was this philosopher who first called the Universe a cosmos (from Greek - "order"). He believed that it is harmonious and can be explained through numerical relationships.
The structure of the universe is like a ball. It consists of 10 celestial spheres that revolve around a central fire. Each sphere is defined by its number and emits a characteristic sound, so space can be compared with the world choir. Pythagoras was convinced that music has a healing effect and used it to cleanse the souls of his students. Within the Pythagorean school, an octave, fifth and fourth were discovered. Music was explored through numerical laws, like the rest of the world.
The magic of numbers
The mathematics of Pythagoras was called to learn the first principles laid down in the foundation of the universe. From his point of view, everything around us is tied to numerical proportions, including the human body. Arithmetic and geometry was given a special, sacred place. The number was understood as energy and had its own character. So, even numbers were associated with a female, indefinite beginning, and odd numbers were associated with male, certain manifestations.
The Pythagoreans advocated a rejection of experimental, visual evidence in mathematics. They considered a pure and divine theoretical approach, when all operations are performed in the mind, without the involvement of the senses. Pythagoras is credited with the discovery of even and odd numbers, the construction of some regular polyhedra (for example, a cube and a tetrahedron), the creation of a theory of proportions.
The famous Pythagorean theorem
Each student knows that it is possible to find the square of the hypotenuse in a right-angled triangle by adding the squares of the legs. It is believed that the author of this theorem is Pythagoras. Is it really?
Historians have proven that in the millennium before the birth of the scientist, this pattern was known in Egypt and Babylon. Perhaps Pythagoras was the first to bring this knowledge to Greece. His evidence has not survived to our time. Often you can find a reference to the drawings of Euclid, but there is no evidence that the creator of the theorem was involved in them. Behind the veil of centuries it is almost impossible to discern the truth.
However, ancient verses have been preserved that describe the day when the Greek scientist created the "famous drawing." Full of joy, he allegedly made a generous sacrifice in the form of bulls to the gods. The Dutch mathematician Van der Waerden did not consider Pythagoras to merit the discovery of the most important regularity, but its scientific justification, which before him was based on speculation and assumptions.
Numerology
Pythagoras tried using mathematics to explain not only theorems, but also human destinies. From his point of view, each number has a special characteristic and sacred meaning. A person’s birth date is made up of numbers, therefore, can be examined from this side.
As a result, the psychomatrix of Pythagoras appeared. It looks like a square consisting of three rows and the same number of columns. The numbers that are entered in the cells are calculated based on the date of birth of the subject. Thus, you can learn about the innate qualities and inclinations of a person, his health, strength of intelligence, energy. Each digit (from 1 to 9) is assigned its own quality. If the numbers are repeated, then the corresponding characteristics are most pronounced.
Pythagoras used his psychomatrix to guide the young man on the right path, which could reveal his existing talents and compensate for the weaknesses of his personality. His followers improved the original technique. Today, the square is widely used in numerology, helping to understand the purpose of man.
Political Views
During his life, Pythagoras had many followers and enjoyed fame. His order actually ruled Croton for a while. Officially, the Council of the Thousand acted in the city, which included members of noble families. Above them, Pythagoras set up a new Council of three hundred husbands. They were elected from the initiated youths of his order, giving preference to the wisest and most virtuous. The Council of three hundred renounced his personal life, property rights. Making important decisions, its members were guided by scientific knowledge.
It was very reminiscent of the priesthood system characteristic of ancient Egypt. Pythagoras was convinced that the aristocracy should lead the masses. Homelessness is the worst of all evils. Moreover, the ruling elite should include the best people in terms of physical, intellectual and moral qualities. They must live in strict discipline and strive for excellence.
Kilon plot
Pythagoras is an idealist who tried to put his views into practice. He proved that the power of the Council of three hundred is completely wealthy. In the war with Sybaris, under the leadership of the Pythagoreans, the enemy was defeated. Croton became the most powerful of all cities in southern Italy. The philosopher himself went to the conquered lands. In his absence, a conflict had ripened, which led to sad consequences.
In Croton there were people dissatisfied with the existing situation. They were led by Kilon, a representative of a noble family. He tried to join the order of Pythagoras, but the wise old man did not accept it, because he saw a heavy, imperious character. Kilon decided to take revenge and prepared the revolution. In his speeches, he spoke of Pythagoras as a tyrant, and condemned him for the fact that the people were deprived of the right to vote. This opinion has found its supporters. As a result, a bloody uprising began in Croton, which led to the death of many Pythagoreans.
The end of the story of Pythagoras
It is not known for certain when Pythagoras died. Ancient sources claim that he lived to a very old age. Most likely, he died at the age of 80-90 years. It could be the interval between 497-490. BC. Data on the fact of death also vary. According to some sources, he died during the uprising in Croton.
Other authors claim that Pythagoras managed to escape and he took refuge in the city of Metapont. There he starved for 40 days in the temple of Muses and died of exhaustion. During the time of Cicero (in the first century AD), his crypt in Metapont was often shown to visitors as a tourist attraction.
Pythagoras is a legendary person who played a big role in the development of philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, music, geometry, ethics. His treatises did not reach us, but many statements, fairy tales and theoretical postulates are known thanks to the many followers who tried to carry this teaching further and went down in history themselves.