Pythagoras Research Paper

Before the age of algebra and analytic Geometry there was Pythagoras: Philosopher, well-known Mathematician, scientist, and a religious teacher. In life this famous Greek thinker developed and coined Pythagoreanism, his own branch of education which would set his theorems to become quite important in geometry. Though there is not much known about Pythagoras’s personal life, relative to more recent famous mathematicians, his life and contributions to mathematics are important in developing the field of geology into what it is today.

Pythagoras was born in Samos, Ionia (what is now Greece) around 569 BCE (3). From a young age Pythagoras was well educated and well-traveled. He had various mentors Pherekydes, Thales, and Anaximander who advised

him to study in Egypt when he decided to leave Samos to escape Polycrates rule in 535 BCE (2). One of Pythagoras’ major accomplishments in life grew from his acceptance of priesthood and his learning from his time spent in Egypt learning about Diospolis. From this experience Pythagoras created his own doctrine of metempsychosis which was later called “Pythagoreanism” and had his own brotherhood (1). However he was made prisoner by the King of Persia and sent to Babylon where he finally gained freedom in 520 BC. Pythagoras returned to Samos and began his school called The Semicircle which the leadership of Samos did not accept, and so in 518 BCE Pythagoras moved to Croton, a Greek colony in southern Italy, and founded a new school for his followers.

The Pythagorean secret society lived in their own building under the rules of the House Master Pythagoras. The members of the society who lived in the house of the society were called mathematikoi, and consisted of both men and women. They all worked communally on discoveries and theories (2). Due to the strict secrecy among the members of Pythagoras' society, and their communal experience, individuals did not take credit but gave credit to Pythagoras. Eventually the Pythagorean School was burned down and none of Pythagoras’ writings survived. Later on Pythagoras’ followers documented what work they could recall and gave credit to Pythagoras. Some historians believe that theories like the Pythagorean Theorem for right triangles were probably developed later by successors of the Pythagorean School (3).

Most sources agree that Pythagoras died around the age of 75 in 495 BC in Metapontum, Lucanium (what is now Italy). However, various other writings place his death between 500 BC and 475 BC. There are various theories as to how Pythagoras died. Some theories claim that Pythagoras died along with his disciples in the temple or that he fled from a mob and was either killed or escaped and starved to death in his escape. At least two of the theories include an instance where Pythagoras refuses to walk across a crop of bean plants (which according to his beliefs were untouchable) in order to escape, which lead to his demise. However beyond his death Pythagoras’ following and legacy continued on.