Püthagorasz

Püthagorasz was an ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician, widely credited as the founder of the Pythagorean cult. He lived in the 6th century BCE, with his birth and death dates estimated around 570–495 BCE. He was born on the island of Samos.

Pythagoras is best known for the Pythagorean theorem, a fundamental principle in geometry which states that in a right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. While the theorem bears his name and is attributed to him, evidence suggests that the principle was known in Babylonian mathematics prior to his time.

Beyond mathematics, Pythagoras and his followers, known as Pythagoreans, believed in the transmigration of souls (reincarnation) and followed a strict way of life. Their philosophy emphasized the importance of numbers and their mystical properties, believing that "all is number." They also advocated for a vegetarian diet and a life of asceticism, purification, and contemplation.

The Pythagorean school was influential in ancient Greece, impacting fields such as philosophy, ethics, and music theory. They explored the mathematical relationships in musical harmony, discovering that consonant intervals could be expressed as simple numerical ratios. Due to the secretive nature of the Pythagorean society, distinguishing between the teachings of Pythagoras himself and those of his later followers can be challenging for historians.