Pythagoras, a renowned ancient Greek philosopher, has been subject to centuries of idealization and distortion, making it challenging to discern his historical thought. Early evidence suggests his fame stemmed not primarily from mathematics or science, but from his expertise on the soul's fate after death, religious rituals, and his establishment of a disciplined way of life. He founded a community devoted to strict asceticism and ethical principles, advocating for the soul's immortality and its journey through reincarnation. Pythagoras conceived of a cosmos structured by moral principles and numerical relationships, reflecting a belief in the interconnectedness of the universe and the soul. His ideas on cosmic harmony and numerical ratios profoundly influenced subsequent philosophical and scientific traditions.
The essence of Pythagoras' teachings is contained in the Golden Verses, seventy-one verses as guidelines on how to live. Pythagoras wrote nothing down during the course of his life, not even the theorem attributed to him. And yet his knowledge and wisdom changed the world, and have survived through the ages to benefit us today.