Pythagoras
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Pythagoras (approximately 582 BC - 507 BC) was a Greek mathematician and philosopher, known best for the Pythagorean theorem. He founded a group of mathematicians, called the Pythagorians, who worshiped numbers and lived like monks. He was an influence for Plato.
Pythagoras is well known for the theorem, a2+b2= c2, although a tablet was found showing that the Babylonians already knew about this at least 1000 years before him (though it is very possible he had actually proved the theory). His theorem was depicted with an ordinary triangle, with the square of the hypotenuse being the sum of the squares of the other two sides of the triangle.
He had a great impact on math’s, music and astronomy. His theories are still used in mathematics today! He was one of the greatest thinkers of his time. Pythagoras was born in Samos, a little island laying off the western coast of Asia. He was born in 570bc and died in 474bc. Because this was so long ago it is hard to find out about details in his life. He was said to have had a good childhood, growing up with two or three brothers he was well educated. He didn’t agree with the government and their schooling so he set up his own little society under his rule. He was the head of it and he had a group of followers just like Jesus and his deciples. His followers did not have any personal possessions and they were all vegetarians. Pythagoras taught them all and they had to obey by strict rules.
It is believed he was the first person to use the term philosophy. He founded a small group, presently called the Pythagoreans. Since he worked very closely with his group, it is hard to distinguish his works from that of his followers.
Religion played a key role with the Pythagoreans. They swore their oaths to 1+2+3+4 (which equals 10). They also believed that the soul is immortal and is destined to a cycle of rebirths until it could purify its life. They believed that these souls were in both animal and plantlife as well. Pythagorus himself claimed to remember having lived four different lives. He also recalled hearing the voice of a dead friend in the howl of a dog being beaten.
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