Pythagoras of Samos

The name Pythagoras is synonymous with the famous formula that relates the lengths of the sides of a right triangle. However, the life and teachings of this famous Greek mathematician, philosopher, and mystic are shrouded in mystery, legend, and conjecture.

Born on the Aegean island of Samos about 500 B.C., Pythagoras traveled and studied extensively as a young man. His travel took him to Egypt, Phoenicia, and Babylonia. Returning to Samos when he was fifty, Pythagoras found his homeland under the rule of the tyrant Polycrates. For an unknown reason, Pythagoras was banned from Samos and migrate to Croton, in the south of present day Italy, where he founded a school. His student and disciples, known as Pythagoreans, eventuallycame to hold considerable social power.



Pythagoras had his student concentrate on four subjects: the theory of numbers, music, geometry and astronomy. To him, these subject constituted the core of knowledge necessary for an educated person. This core of four subject, later known as the quadrivium, persisted until Middle Age. At that time, three other subject known as trivium, were added to the list: logic, grammar, and rhetoric. These seven areas of study came to be known as the seven library arts and formed the proper course of study for all educated people.

The Pythagorean were a secretive sect. Their motto, "All is number", indicate their belief that numbers have a mystical quality and are the essence of the universe. Number had a mystic aura about them, and all things had a numerical representation.

In realm of astronomy, Pythagoras had a curious theory. Being geocentric, he believed that the earth to be the center of the universe. The sun, moon, and five known planets circled the earth. Each travelling on its own crystal sphere. Due to the friction of this gigantic bodies is whirling about, each body would produce unique tone based on its distance from the earth. The combined effect of the seven bodies was the harmonious celestial music of the gods, which Pythagoras was the only mortal blessed to hear!

Although Pythagoras is given credit for proving the theorem that bears his name, there is no hard evidence that he did so. All his teaching were verbal; there are no written record of his actual work. Furtermore, his disciples were sworn not to reveal any of  his doctrines to outsiders.

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wiki : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagoras