Pythagoras — The Philosopher Who United Math, Music, and Mysticism

Pythagoras of Samos (c. 570–495 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher, mathematician, and mystic often called the “father of numbers”. He founded the Pythagorean school in southern Italy, where he taught not only mathematics but also moral values, diet, spiritual purification, and reincarnation. His famous idea that “everything is number” deeply influenced Western philosophy and science for centuries.

The most well-known mathematical discovery associated with Pythagoras is the theorem about right-angled triangles: the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides. Although this theorem was likely known earlier in Babylon, Pythagoras systematized it within a broader logical and geometric framework.

Pythagoras also discovered mathematical patterns in music. He found that the strings which produced harmonious sounds had simple numerical ratios like 2:1 or 3:2. This laid the foundation of Western musical theory and influenced culture for generations.

His teachings were deeply mystical. The Pythagoreans believed in the transmigration of souls and pursued physical and spiritual purification. They followed a strict lifestyle, including dietary rules and a vow of silence for new members, who could not speak for several years. The school resembled a religious order, with Pythagoras as a near-prophetic figure.

Interestingly, Pythagoras left no written works. Everything we know about him comes from his students or later philosophers. This has made his life somewhat legendary, and it's difficult to separate myth from historical fact.

Despite this, Pythagoras’s influence is undeniable. He shaped the way we see harmony, the connection between numbers and the cosmos, and the unity of science and spirituality. His legacy touches not just mathematics but philosophy, music, architecture, and even esoteric traditions.