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. 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.
Birth of a great philosopher
It is known that the birthplace of Pythagoras was the Greek island of Samos. There is no exact information about the date of his birth. This probably happened between 580 and 570 BC. e. The boy's father is called Mnesarchus. According to some sources, he was a we althy merchant who distributed bread to people in a lean year. In other sources, he is called a stone cutter, as well as a goldsmith.
According to legend, the birth of Pythagoras was predicted by the Pythia (the priestess of the Delphic oracle in the temple of the god Apollo). The happy father learned that his son would be distinguished by beauty and wisdom, and his deeds would benefit all mankind. To celebrate, he gave his wife a new namePythaida, he named his son Pythagoras, which meant "foretold by Pythia." Mnesarchus tried to give the heir the best education. The boy, in turn, tried to justify the high expectations placed on him.
Years of study
The biography of Pythagoras of Samos is full of contradictions. Hermodamas is considered his first teacher. The boy was interested in the mysteries of nature. He practiced painting and music. To train his memory, the teacher made Pythagoras memorize the "Odyssey" and "Iliad" of the great Homer.
Different sources attribute to him acquaintance with such famous sages as Ferekrid of Syros, Thales, Anaximander. However, this cannot be reliably confirmed. It is believed that at the age of 20, Pythagoras went to Egypt, where he was able to become a priest under the pharaoh Amasis and was initiated into the secret sciences. Legends say that he was kidnapped during a Persian raid. So Pythagoras ended up in Babylon, where he met with magicians and got acquainted with oriental wisdom. Other legends tell him to travel to the Ethiopians, Jews, Indians, Syrians, Arabs, Thracians and even the 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 has come down 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 familiar with many arcane sciences andmysteries, and wanted to preach his doctrine. 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, in the homeland, it did not work out to become a preacher. In those years, Samos was ruled by Polycrates, with whom the philosopher did not have a good relationship. He considered himself underestimated by his compatriots. In addition, 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 went on a sailboat to southern Italy. The city of Croton became his place of refuge for 30 years.
Pythagorean Union
When the philosopher arrived at Croton, the city was going through hard times. Being a strong leader and politician, Pythagoras was able to take advantage of this situation to gain authority. Soon he was praised as an excellent teacher, and many young men of aristocratic origin wanted to become his students.
So there was a kind of brotherhood, which included only initiates. Pythagoras is a man who sought to create an ideal society. He severely selected his followers. Beginners were initially only allowed into the gymnasium, where they could participate in sports games, throw darts or improve their running skills. They found themselves in an atmosphere of courtesy and goodwill, where their words were listened to without judgment and at the same time they carefully watchedevery move.
Then came the turn of the decisive tests. The young man was supposed to spend the night in a terrible cave, where, according to legend, spirits lived. If he endured 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 the most difficult task. When the subject was taken to the general court, everyone ridiculed him. The one who responded with dignity to sharp attacks was included in the ranks of the initiates. The rest were cast out in disgrace.
The doctrine of incarnation and morality
Inside the Pythagorean order there were strict rules. The young men had to live according to the principles of he althy 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, a person has a divine nature, but in the course of evolution he lost contact with the spiritual principle and ended up clothed in a material body. His soul is locked in the fetters of the flesh, but the desire for happiness and higher truth is alive in it. Infinitely languishing souls change bodies, gaining experience and knowledge. Their goal is to become perfect and eventually unite with the God in whose image they were created.
To do this, you must observe the principles of morality, be honest and sincere with other people, and also 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 permeated through and through with mysticism, behind which one can see logic and the desire forknowledge of reality. It was this philosopher who first called the Universe cosmos (from the 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 the central fire. Each sphere is defined by its number and emits a characteristic sound, so the cosmos can be compared to the world choir. Pythagoras was convinced that music had a healing effect and used it to purify the souls of his students. Within the framework of the Pythagorean school, the octave, fifth and fourth were discovered. Music was explored through numerical laws, like the rest of the world.
Magic of Numbers
Mathematics of Pythagoras was called upon to learn the first principles underlying the universe. From his point of view, everything around us is tied to numerical proportions, including the human body. Arithmetic and geometry were given a special, sacred place. Number was understood as energy and had its own character. So, even numbers were associated with a feminine, indefinite beginning, and odd numbers - with masculine, definite manifestations.
The Pythagoreans advocated the rejection of experimental, visual proof in mathematics. They considered pure and divine the theoretical approach, when all operations are performed in the mind, without involving the senses. It is Pythagoras who is credited with the discovery of even and odd numbers, the construction of some regular polyhedra (for example, the cube and the tetrahedron), the creation of the theory of proportions.
The famous theoremPythagoras
Every student knows that you can find the square of the hypotenuse in a right triangle by adding the squares of the legs. It is believed that the author of this theorem is Pythagoras. Is it really so?
Historians have proven that a millennium before the birth of a 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. You can often 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 survive that describe the day a Greek scientist created the "famous drawing". Filled with joy, he allegedly made a generous sacrifice to the gods in the form of bulls. The Dutch mathematician Van der Waerden considered Pythagoras' merit not the discovery of the most important regularity, but its scientific justification, which before him was based on conjectures and assumptions.
Numerology
Pythagoras tried to use 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 date of birth is composed of numbers, therefore, can be examined from this side.
As a result, the psychomatrix of Pythagoras appeared. It looks like a square with three rows and the same number of columns. The numbers that are entered in the cells are calculated based on the datebirth of the subject. Thus, you can learn about the innate qualities and inclinations of a person, his he alth, strength of intellect, energy. Each number (from 1 to 9) has its own quality. If the numbers are repeated, then the corresponding characteristics are most pronounced.
Pythagoras used his psychomatrix to guide the young men on the right path, which could reveal their talents and compensate for the weaknesses of the personality. His followers improved the original technique. Today, the square is widely used in numerology, helping to understand the purpose of a person.
Political views
During his lifetime, Pythagoras had many followers and enjoyed fame. His order actually ruled over Croton for a time. Officially, the city had a Council of a Thousand, which included members of well-born families. Above them, Pythagoras placed a new Council of three hundred men. They were chosen from among the initiated youths of his order, giving preference to the most wise and virtuous. The Council of Three Hundred renounced personal life and property rights. Its members were guided by scientific knowledge in making important decisions.
This was very reminiscent of the priesthood system characteristic of ancient Egypt. Pythagoras was convinced that the aristocracy should lead the masses. Anarchy is the worst of all evils. At the same time, the best people in terms of physical, intellectual and moral qualities should be included in the ruling elite. They must live in strict discipline and strive for excellence.
Kylon Conspiracy
Pythagoras is an idealist who triedput your ideas into practice. He proved that the power of the Council of Three Hundred is quite well-founded. In the war with Sybaris, under the leadership of the Pythagoreans, the enemy was defeated. Croton became the strongest of all the cities of Southern Italy. The philosopher himself went to the conquered lands. In his absence, a conflict arose, which led to sad consequences.
There were people in Croton who were dissatisfied with the status quo. They were led by Cylon, a representative of a well-born family. He tried to join the Order of Pythagoras, but the wise old man did not accept him, as he saw a heavy, domineering character. Cylon decided to take revenge and prepared a 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 found its supporters. As a result, a bloody uprising broke out in Croton, resulting in 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 ripe 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 circumstances of death also vary. According to some sources, he died during the uprising in Crotone.
Other authors claim that Pythagoras managed to escape and took refuge in the city of Metapont. There he starved in the temple of the Muses for 40 days and died of exhaustion. During the time of Cicero (in the first century AD), his crypt in Metapontus was often shown to visitors as a tourist attraction.
Pythagoras isa legendary person who played a big role in the development of philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, music, geometry, and ethics. His treatises have not come down to us, but many sayings, fairy tales and theoretical postulates are known thanks to many followers who tried to carry this teaching further and went down in history themselves.
