Pythagoras of Samos
- Born:
- c. 570 BC, Samos, Ionia (present-day Greece)
- Died:
- c. 495 BC, Metapontum, Lucania (present-day Italy)
- Nationality:
- Greek
- Profession(s):
- Philosopher, Mathematician, Mystic
Early Life and Education
- Born on the island of Samos, Ionia.
- Details of his early education are sparse, but it is believed he traveled extensively throughout Egypt and other regions, absorbing knowledge.
- Tradition suggests he studied under various teachers, potentially including Thales and Anaximander.
Career and Major Achievements
- Founded a philosophical and religious school in Croton, Magna Graecia (present-day Italy).
- Made significant contributions to mathematics, though many discoveries are attributed to him and his followers collectively.
- Credited with the proof of the Pythagorean theorem, which describes the relationship between the sides of a right triangle, expressed through what is known as the satz des pythagoras hypotenuse equation.
- Made contributions to music theory, astronomy, and cosmology.
- His school emphasized a communal lifestyle and the pursuit of knowledge and virtue.
Legacy and Impact
Pythagoras's influence on mathematics, philosophy, and science has been profound and lasting. His work on geometry, number theory, and music continues to be studied and applied today. The satz des pythagoras hypotenuse equation remains a fundamental concept in geometry.
His philosophical ideas, including the concept of the transmigration of souls and the importance of harmony and order, also influenced later thinkers.
Notable Works
Due to the secretive nature of the Pythagorean school and the lack of written records, it is difficult to attribute specific works directly to Pythagoras. Much of what is known comes from later accounts and interpretations.
Key areas of contribution include:
- Geometry: The development and proof of the Pythagorean theorem.
- Number Theory: Investigation of the properties of numbers, including perfect numbers and amicable numbers.
- Music Theory: Discovery of the mathematical ratios underlying musical intervals.