Pythagoras

Definition

Pythagoras was an ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician known for his contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and music theory. He is renowned for the Pythagorean theorem and his belief that numbers are fundamental to understanding the universe.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Pythagoras founded a religious movement known as Pythagoreanism which combined elements of mysticism with scientific inquiry.
2. He proposed that the Earth was spherical and one of several celestial bodies moving in a harmonious system.
3. Pythagoras is credited with early observations that led to the idea of celestial harmony or 'musica universalis'—the music of the spheres.
4. His followers, known as Pythagoreans, believed in the transmigration of souls and sought to understand the cosmos through mathematics.
5. Though much of his work was oral and not written down by him directly, Pythagoras's ideas influenced later astronomers like Copernicus and Kepler.

Review Questions

• What did Pythagoras propose about the shape of the Earth?
• How did Pythagoras contribute to early astronomical thought?
• What is 'musica universalis' and how is it related to Pythagoras?

Related terms

Pythagorean Theorem: A mathematical principle stating that in a right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides

Musica Universalis: An ancient philosophical concept that regards proportions in movements of celestial bodies as a form of music

Transmigration of Souls: The belief in reincarnation where a soul moves from one body to another after death