Pythagoras: His Life and Teaching, a Compendium of Classical Sources

Pythagoras: His Life and Teaching, a Compendium of Classical Sources Read Online Free PDF Page B

Book: Pythagoras: His Life and Teaching, a Compendium of Classical Sources Read Online Free PDF
Author: James Wasserman
but do not assist him in laying it down,” meaning that the diligent merit assistance, but the indolent deserve no help; “Having departed from your house, turn not back, for the furies will be your attendants,” meaning that once the disciple sets foot upon the path of truth, he must not turn back to former ignorant ways, which will only cause confusion and suffering.
    According to our informants, Pythagoras was known for his prophecies and miracles. His very presence was surrounded by a charismatic splendor. One report states that Pythagoras, while walking from Sybaris to Crotona, came upon fishermen and told them the exact number of fish they would have in their nets. The fishermen said that, if this be true, they would do whatever he commanded. When the fish were counted there were exactly the number foretold. Pythagoras requested that the fish be returned to the sea, whereupon he paid them for their catch, and proceeded to Crotona.
    Pythagoras had unusual influence upon rational and irrational creatures alike. One time, stroking a bear, which had done harm to the people, he gave her maize and fruits and directed her not to attack living creatures. As reported, the bear went to the woods and caused no further damage to any living thing. At times, Pythagoras would relate what another had in mind before the other had spoken it. He foretold earthquakes. On one occasion he predicted correctly that a certain ship, though under pleasant breeze at the time, would be wrecked. He was known for counteracting pestilence, and caused violent winds to cease. He is also said to have had the ability to visit the other world and bring back reports to friends of their deceased acquaintances. Pythagoras too spoke of his former lives. Once he appeared, at the same time, before two of his disciples who were at different places, and had conversation with them both. He practiced the art of divination by numbers, and is reported to have developed a round object containing numbers and letters by means of which he could analyze character, and predict future events.
    Among the achievements to be accredited Pythagoras are:
    1.  An improved status of mathematics to a level above mere practicality by introducing the method of axioms, postulates, definitions, and proofs;
    2.  The discovery and proof of the angle-sum of a triangle;
    3.  Demonstration that the square erected on the hypotenuse of a right triangle is equivalent in area to squares erected on its other two sides;
    4.  The concept that the earth is a globe, and astronomical thoughts which led Copernicus to affirm that from the Pythagoreans he arrived at his heliocentric hypothesis;
    5.  Founded the harmonic science as a result of his laws yielding the fourth, fifth, and octave of a note;
    6.  The first to use the terms philosophy, and mathematics;
    7.  Combined geometry and arithmetic, as much later the relation between algebra and geometry was established;
    8.  Developed the principle that numbers are the essences of all things;
    9.  Brought to clearer focus the meaning of transmigration and the immortality of the soul;
    10.  Discovered a Way for man by establishing his relation to universals;
    11.  Made prophecy and mystical experience commensurate with practical living;
    12.  Formulated essential parts of Euclid's Elements of Geometry. Based on such thoughts and discoveries, Pythagoras' Academy came to be recognized as the most significant scientific school of the ancient world.
    Pythagoras died at the age of 80. His demise came as he counseled with friends at the home of one Milo. The home was set afire out of envy by Clyo, a wealthy, prominent, but tyrannical man who, having applied for discipleship, was found unworthy, and so refused. Others say that the Crotonians, for political reasons, perpetrated the massacre in which some forty of the brothers lost their lives.
    The cause may, indeed, have been political, for it cannot be denied that Pythagoras and his
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