Pythagoras was an ancient mathematician and an important intellectual figure in philosophy. Everyone knows his mathematics. He was a native of Samos, an ancient island nation about 532 BC. At this time Polycrates was the ruler of Samos, an immensely rich ruler with a vast navy. But Pythagoras didn’t like his administration, and he left and travelled to Egypt and later to Croton. At Croton, he founded a society of disciples, which was influential in that city. But in the end, citizens turned against him.
Pythagoras become a mythical figure, some say he was the son of the god Apollo, and he was credited with miracles and magical powers. Pythagoras was a most puzzling figure with his intellectual as well as with his foolishness. Pythagoras was not only the founder of a school of mathematics but he founded a religion.
Pythagoras religion was embodied in a religious order, he was a supporter of the rule of saints. Some of the rules of the Pythagorean order was seems to be very strange, I am listing some orders of his religion.
- Abstain from the use of beans
- Do not take fallen things
- Not to touch white cock
- Not to break bread
- Not to step over a crossbar
- Not to stir the fire with iron
- Not to eat from the whole loaf
- Do Not eat a heart
- Do not look in a mirror beside a light
There are many ………………….
Ref: History of Western philosophy, Bertrand Russel
Dr. Sileesh Mullasseri