Pythagoras, 'The Father of Numbers'
- Is best known as a Philosopher, Mathematician.
- Who follows his own religion which is to believe that the universe can be understand with numbers.
- Born on the Greek island of Samos.
- Has a wealthy family background.
- Visited Egypt and Persia.
- Moved to Italy and settled in the city of Crotone, but spent most of his times in Samos.
- Also interested in music.
- Originator of vegetarianism.
- Began teaching after settled, and the students he had who lived a structured life of study and exercise, and are inspired by a philosophy based around mathematics are known as the Pythagoreans.
- Married to a philosopher named Theano with one son and three daughters
- Believed that 10 was the most complete number
- Silence is important to him, staying quiet was a way to learn self-control
- Had number of taboos; that includes
1. The avoidance of meat and beans.
2. Not to pick up what has fallen.
3. Not to break bread.
4. Not to step over a crossbar.
5. Not to eat from whole loaf.
6. Not to walk on highways.
7. Do not look in a mirror beside a light.
8. Not to touch the white cock.
9. No swallows are allowed in the room.
10. One must put the right shoe on first.
Reference List
TheFamousPeople.com 2017, Pythagoras Biography, viewed 17 October, <https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/pythagoras-504.php>
BBC 2014, Pythagoras (c.580 BC - c.500 BC), viewed 18 October, <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/pythagoras.shtml>
