Pythagoras is one of the most important philosophers in history, and was heavily influenced by the ancient Egyptians, as he travelled there early in his life.
Pythagoras the ancient Greek philosopher traveled to Egypt to study with the priests of the ancient Egyptian mystery schools. He was initiated into the secret knowledge, including math, astronomy, alchemy, and magic. He was significantly influenced by Egyptian esoteric thought.
He became a master of the arts of mathematics, astronomy, and metaphysics, and he learned how to communicate with the divine and to attain a state of spiritual enlightenment. His time in Egypt is considered a crucial part of his intellectual and spiritual development, and it is said to have played a significant role in shaping his later philosophy and mathematics.
Pythagoras went to Egypt as a Young Man
Most estimates place Pythagoras’ birth around 570 BCE, and he is believed to have lived to around 490 BCE. Given that he was active in both Greece and Italy later in his life, it is generally assumed that he would have spent several years in Egypt at some point in his early adulthood. However, the exact dates of his travels and the length of his stay in Egypt remain a matter of speculation.
Sources of Information on His Travels in Egypt
There are several ancient sources that mention Pythagoras’ travels to Egypt, but they are not always in agreement and some are more credible than others. The most important sources of information on Pythagoras’ time in Egypt are:
Writings of Philolaus of Crotona: Philolaus was a pupil of Pythagoras and one of his earliest biographers. He wrote about Pythagoras’ travels to Egypt and other countries, but his works are lost and only fragments have survived.
Writings of Iamblichus of Chalcis: Iamblichus was a Neoplatonist philosopher who wrote a biography of Pythagoras in the 3rd century CE. In his work, Iamblichus mentions Pythagoras’ travels to Egypt and the knowledge he gained there.
Writings of Diogenes Laertius: Diogenes Laertius was a biographer of Greek philosophers who lived in the 3rd century CE. In his work “Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers,” he includes a section on Pythagoras, in which he mentions his travels to Egypt.
Writings of Porphyry of Tyre: Porphyry was a Neoplatonist philosopher who wrote a biography of Pythagoras in the 3rd century CE. In his work, he mentions Pythagoras’ travels to Egypt and the influence of Egyptian mathematics and philosophy on his later teachings.
The Priests and Mystery Schools of Ancient Egypt
The priests of ancient Egypt were keepers of a great and powerful knowledge. They were believed to have had a deep understanding of the mysteries of the universe and to possess the power to communicate with the gods.
The priests of ancient Egypt have been described as wise and learned individuals who were able to use their knowledge to perform miracles and to heal the sick. They were also said to have had the ability to foretell the future and to control the elements of nature through their mastery of magic and alchemy. Learn more about alchemy here.
The priests of ancient Egypt were teachers and mentors who initiated individuals into the secret wisdom and knowledge of the civilization. According to some, Pythagoras was one such initiate, and he learned the secrets of the universe and the art of magic from the priests of Egypt.
The mystery schools of ancient Egypt were institutions where individuals were initiated into the secrets of the universe and the divine. These schools taught a variety of subjects, including mathematics, astronomy, geometry, metaphysics, and spirituality. Learn more about the philosophy of ancient Egypt, including the meaning of the ankh symbol, by clicking here.
The mystery schools of ancient Egypt were centers of spiritual awakening, where individuals were able to access higher states of consciousness and attain a deeper understanding of their true nature. The teachings of the mystery schools have been passed down through the ages and contain the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe and our place within it.
The Magick and Alchemy of Ancient Egypt
The priests of ancient Egypt practiced a form of magic that was based on their understanding of the natural laws of the universe. This magic involved the manipulation of energy and consciousness to achieve specific goals or outcomes.
The priests of ancient Egypt were masters of energy work, and used their knowledge of the energy systems of the body and the universe to heal the sick, communicate with the gods, and perform other magical feats.
The priests of ancient Egypt had a deep understanding of the geometry of the universe and used this knowledge to create powerful symbols and talismans that could be used for magical purposes. To learn more about sacred geometry click here.
The Legacy and Contributions of Pythagoras
After studying in the mystery schools of Egypt, Pythagoras returned to Greece, where he went on to formulate the teachings that would change the world, and he would become remembered for.
Pythagoras was a Greek philosopher, mathematician, and religious leader who lived in the 6th century BCE. He was born on the island of Samos and later founded a philosophical and religious community in Croton, Italy. Pythagoras is considered one of the most important figures in the development of Western philosophy and mathematics.
One of Pythagoras’ main ideas was that numbers and mathematics were at the root of the universe and that everything in the world could be understood and explained through numbers. He is credited with discovering the famous Pythagorean Theorem, which states that in a right-angled triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. To learn more about the contributions of ancient Greek philosophy schools click here
Pythagoras also had a strong belief in the idea of reincarnation and the immortality of the soul. He taught that the soul was trapped in the physical world and that it was the goal of individuals to free themselves from this cycle of rebirth through spiritual enlightenment. He believed in the existence of a divine, universal harmony and that the key to unlocking this harmony was through purification of the soul and living a virtuous life.
Pythagoras is remembered for his contributions to mathematics, as well as his influence on the development of Western philosophy, particularly in the areas of ethics, metaphysics, and spirituality. His ideas continue to be studied and debated to this day, and he remains an important figure in the history of Western thought.
Recommended Reading
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