The Mystery of Pythagoras’ Life
The life of Pythagoras has long been shrouded in mystery and intrigue.
Did he learn the secrets of wisdom from the ancient Egyptians, or perhaps from the scholars of Babylon?
What profound knowledge did he uncover at the Temple of Delphi, and what is his connection to its priestess?
Some even wonder if Pythagoras encountered extraterrestrial beings or if his teachings were influenced by otherworldly forces.
Were his parents forewarned of his greatness before his birth? Intriguingly, some have noted strange similarities between Pythagoras and Jesus.
Furthermore, was Pythagoras the head of a secretive Masonic lodge, founded to uncover hidden truths? The questions surrounding his life and teachings continue to fascinate and provoke curiosity about the secrets he may have uncovered.
The Temple of Delphi and the Maxim ‘Know Thyself
The phrase "Know thyself, and thou shalt know the universe and the gods" is inscribed on the Temple of Delphi. This short phrase carries a lot of wisdom and purpose, but it is difficult to achieve for many. People want to know who they are, and this desire is inherent in human nature.Greek Philosophers and the Culture of Wisdom
There is no doubt that the ancient Greeks were very wise. Their philosophy contributed greatly to the enrichment of the culture of societies, and ancient Greek quotations still inspire contemporary thinkers and people. For example, names such as Socrates, Thales, Plato, and Aristotle have influenced contemporary scientists as well as thinkers and intellectuals with their great ideas and philosophies.
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| Cropped image of Pythagoras from Raphael's School of Athens |
Travels and Hidden Sources of Knowledge
However, there is a person who is more shrouded in mystery than all of these ancient Greek philosophers, who deserves our attention. In fact, while studying the secrets of the Temple of Delphi, we learn about a mysterious and strange encounter in that temple, this encounter shaped the future of one of the most famous ancient Greek philosophers, Pythagoras (570 BC - 495 BC).
We all know Pythagoras, but I don't think you know some of his secrets. Pythagoras was an ancient Greek philosopher who was known for his outstanding contributions to mathematics. He founded the Pythagorean School in Crotone, which is currently an ancient town in southern Italy.
| Source of Knowledge | What Pythagoras Was Said to Learn |
|---|---|
| Egypt | Geometry, sacred architecture, ritual purity |
| Babylon | Astronomy, mathematics of the stars |
| Phoenicia | Arithmetic, trade-based calculations |
| The Magi (Persia) | Principles of religion, ethics, and cosmic order |
Egypt, Babylon, Phoenicia — What He Was Said to Learn
It is said that Pythagoras visited many different countries, and during these travels, it is said that the Egyptians taught him geometry, the Phoenicians taught him arithmetic, and he learned Babylonian astronomy, and from the Magi the principles of religion and the practical principles of behavior.
The Pythagorean Brotherhood and Its Secrecy
Pythagoras must have met wonderful people with a lot of knowledge who left him a solid science and expanded his own wisdom to his philosophical mind. However, his most important encounter was at the Temple of Delphi.
Although we owe almost all of our information about Pythagoras to Plato, we must learn about some of the mysterious and vibrant events in the life of this ancient philosopher.
From Samos to Crotone
After escaping from the tyrannical rule of Samos, the great Greek philosopher Pythagoras migrated to southern Italy and founded the Pythagorean School of Mathematics in Crotone, which he founded around 500 BC. And Pythagoras had his own group, which was one of the first secret societies in the ancient world.
Encounter with the Oracle at Delphi
It is said that Pythagoras visited the Temple of Delphi at a young age. There he met the Delphic oracle, a woman who was known for her ability to predict the future.
A Prophecy of Greatness
The oracle told him that he would become a great philosopher, and that his ideas would influence the world for many years to come.
This encounter was a turning point in Pythagoras' life. It inspired him to study philosophy and search for the truth. It led him to establish the Pythagorean School, which became a center of learning and research in the ancient world.
Know Thyself’ as a Pythagorean Principle
The phrase "Know thyself, and thou shalt know the universe and the gods" is one of the most important Pythagorean principles. Pythagoras believed that knowing oneself is the key to understanding the world around us. He urged his followers to engage in meditation and self-reflection to better understand themselves.
This phrase remains timeless wisdom to this day. It is a reminder to us that knowing oneself is an endless journey. It is a call to search for inner truth and discover our full potential.
Prophecies and Sacred Birth Traditions
Pythagoras had an amazing history since his childhood, as described by the French writer Edward Schur. His parents, who were from the upper class, received a prophecy from a priestess of Delphi named Pythia before they gave birth to their son.
Pythia’s Prediction and Dedication to Apollo
Pythia told them that their son would be a great historical figure, but she warned them that he must be dedicated to Apollo, the god of wisdom. According to Schur, Pythagoras’ father was a wealthy jeweler, and his mother was a beautiful and educated woman. When Pythagoras was one year old, his mother took him to a Jewish temple in Lebanon, where he received a special blessing from the chief priest.
Parallels with Jesus and the Sacred Biography
Divine Conception and Apotheosis Claims
As mentioned by the mystic Manly Bianchi, there was something mysterious about Pythagoras’ birth, as some ancient scholars claimed that Pythagoras was not human, but a god incarnated to teach humans eternal wisdom. Others said that Pythagoras was the result of a virgin heavenly pregnancy.
Geographic and Narrative Parallels
In his book Ankalypsis, Geoffrey Higgins drew attention to some common aspects between Pythagoras and Jesus of Nazareth. He said that they were born in the same region approximately, Pythagoras in Sidon, and Jesus in Bethlehem, and both in the Levant. Pythagoras’ and Jesus’ parents were told a similar prophecy about their son, who would be a source of good for humanity and have historical fame.
Among other things that link them, Joseph went to Bethlehem with his pregnant wife, while Pythagoras’ father traveled from Samos, a Greek island where he lived, to Sidon, for commercial reasons. From this, we can see how an unusual encounter in an ancient temple influenced the views and philosophy of one of the smartest minds ever
Symbols and Geometry of Delphi
Pythagoras was fascinated by wisdom since his childhood, and his parents encouraged him to pursue his passion. When he was eighteen years old, he had matured and mastered many skills. The temple of Delphi was an important axis in his life and his influence on his teachings and philosophy.
Temple Geometry as a Cosmic Key
In the geometry of the temple of Delphi, Pythagoras saw the key to the universe. The base and the columns and the middle column symbolized a three-dimensional triangle that represented nature, humanity, and the universe. At its core, there was the small world and the large universe that contained the gods. Pythagoras visited the temple of Delphi for one purpose only, which is to obtain the unique and eternal knowledge and science.
Theoclea and Otherworldly Inspiration
He wanted to get a new light in a time when the art of divination and astrology deteriorated. In this great temple, he met Theoclea, the priestess of Apollo, who belonged to a distinguished priestly family and inherited this precious science. This wonderful woman had a deep spirituality.
Voices of Spirits and Ecstasy
She heard the voices of the spirits in the daytime, and when she was exposed to the bright sun, she entered a state of ecstasy and vibration and listened to the singing of the heavenly choirs. She always felt attracted to a higher and nobler world than the earth, where she knew its key, and was attracted to the deep knowledge and teachings.
Pythagoras and Theoclea
Blessing and Teaching at Delphi
In the temple of Delphi, she blessed Pythagoras and taught him. After that, Pythagoras reached the peak of his achievement, and his eloquence was amazing, and his presence was charming, and there was no one who matched him in his intelligence and knowledge. The works of this great sage left an impression in Greece and the world more than any other teacher at that time.
✨ Pythagoras at a Glance
- Birth & Prophecy: Said to be foretold by the Oracle at Delphi.
- World Traveler: Learned geometry in Egypt, astronomy in Babylon, and ethics from the Magi.
- Secret Brotherhood: Founded one of the first initiatory schools in Crotone.
- Symbols & Numbers: Believed harmony of numbers revealed cosmic truth.
- Divine Parallel: Compared with Jesus in miraculous birth and teaching role.
- Esoteric Legacy: His influence shaped philosophy, mysticism, and even Freemasonry.
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Esoteric Orders and Proto-Freemasonry
His school was famous for the purity of its philosophy and its amazing depth in meditating on the secrets of the world.
A Year-Long Rite at Delphi
Pythagoras and Theoclea worked together for a whole year in Delphi in a quasi-complete spiritual ceremony. Thus, ancient Masonry took this principle and always gave the woman a high place in knowledge and solving all the puzzles.
Legacy of Pythagoras: Between History and Myth
The secrets of Pythagoras remain a subject of great curiosity, leaving behind a legacy shrouded in myth and wisdom. The journey to understand his teachings and the origins of his knowledge continues, opening doors for further exploration and reflection on his impact on human thought.🔑 Key Takeaways
- Pythagoras’ life blended history, myth, and prophecy, making him more than a philosopher.
- Legends say he traveled widely, absorbing Egyptian, Babylonian, Phoenician, and Persian wisdom.
- His encounter with the Oracle of Delphi shaped his destiny and core teachings.
- Stories about his birth and mission drew parallels with Jesus and divine incarnation.
- Through his secret brotherhood, he left a legacy that influenced philosophy, religion, and esoteric traditions.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Was Pythagoras really taught in Egypt and Babylon?
Ancient sources claim he learned in Egypt and Babylon, but modern scholars treat these reports cautiously; they reflect later traditions about his wide travels.
Did Pythagoras meet the Oracle at Delphi?
Later biographies say he consulted Delphi and was marked out by prophecy; these are pious legends rather than verifiable history.
What does “Know thyself” have to do with Pythagoras?
“Know thyself” is a famous Delphic maxim; some later accounts link it to Pythagorean practice of self-discipline and moral purification.
Was Pythagoras the founder of a secret brotherhood?
Yes, he is credited with founding a disciplined community at Croton with initiatory rules, dietary restrictions, and shared teaching.
Are there reliable stories about Pythagoras’ miraculous birth?
Legends say he was divinely fathered (even by Apollo) or otherwise extraordinary; such stories are late and symbolic, not historical.
Is Pythagoras linked to early Freemasonry?
The association appears in much later esoteric literature; it is not part of the ancient record and isn’t accepted by mainstream historians.
Did Pythagoras teach reincarnation and the harmony of the spheres?
Yes—doctrines of soul transmigration and cosmic harmony are central to Pythagorean tradition reported in ancient sources.
Why is it so hard to separate history from myth in his life?
Because our fullest lives are centuries later and mix biography with hagiography, making critical evaluation essential.
References
- Huffman, Carl. “Pythagoras.” In Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (latest substantive rev. 2005/updates).
- “Pythagoras.” Encyclopaedia Britannica. Latest revision.
- Iamblichus. Life of Pythagoras. Translations in the public domain.
- Diogenes Laertius. Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, Book VIII.
- Burkert, Walter. Lore and Science in Ancient Pythagoreanism. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1972.
- Higgins, Geoffrey. Anacalypsis. 19th-century comparative study (for later parallels traditions).
- Schuré, Édouard. The Great Initiates. Esoteric biography (late tradition).
Written by H. Moses — All rights reserved © Mythology and History
