Pythagoras of Samos is described as the first “pure mathematician.” Pythagoras’ father was Mnesarchus of Tyre and Pythais of Samos. Mnesarchus was a merchant who was granted citizenship after he brought corn to Samos during a famine. The citizenship was an act of gratitude. There are accounts that Pythagoras traveled widely with his father, even back to his father’s home, Tyre and Italy. During these travels Pythagoras was educated by Chaldaeans and learned scholars in Syria. Little is known about Pythagoras’ physical attributes because of the large number of fictitious descriptions. The only description that is taken as fact is a birthmark that Pythagoras had on his thigh. Pythagoras had three brothers. I well educated young man Pythagoras played the lyre. This musical education later contributed to Pythagoras doctrines and mathematical studiesPythagoras had many teachers but one of the most important of those teachers was Pherekydes who is described by many to be “the teacher of Pythagoras.” Between the ages of 18 and 20 Pythagoras studied under Anaximander and he contributes that his astronomy was the natural development of Anaximander’s. In about 535 BC Pythagoras traveled to Egypt, a few years before Polycrates took over his home town of Samos. While in Egypt Pythagoras visited many temples and entered into the priesthood at Diopolis. Pythagoras would use the customs that he learned at Diopolis in the founding of his philosophical society. Till the day he died he would practice the secrecy of Egyptian priests and strive for purity.After Persia invaded Egypt in 525 BC Pythagoras was taken in captivity and brought to Babylonia. In 520, after the death of Cambyses II and Polycrates, Pythagoras returned home to Samos. There is no explanation for the release of Pythagoras from Babylonia or any evidence that the death of Polycrates and his return were connected. Darius of Persia had tak...
