The Complete Pythagoras is a compilation of two books. The first is entitled The Life Of Pythagoras and contains the four biographies of Pythagoras that have survived from antiquity: that of Iamblichus (280-333 A.D.), Porphry (233-306 A.D.), Photius (ca 820- ca 891 A.D.) and Diogenes Laertius (180 A.D.). The second is entitled Pythagorean Library and is a complete collection of the surviving fragments from the Pythagoreans.
The Complete Pythagoras is the most comprehensive collection of ancient texts on the life and teachings of Pythagoras available in English. This impressive volume brings together the major classical biographies—including those by Iamblichus, Porphyry, Diogenes Laërtius, and Photius—alongside the surviving writings and fragments of Pythagoras’ followers, often referred to as the Pythagorean Library.
Pythagoras (c. 570–495 BCE) was more than a mathematician. He was a philosopher, mystic, and spiritual reformer whose influence spread far beyond the famous theorem that bears his name. His teachings shaped later philosophical traditions such as Platonism and Neopythagoreanism, and his ideas about harmony, the transmigration of souls, and the role of number in the cosmos continue to fascinate thinkers today.
This collection provides valuable insight into the legendary life of Pythagoras—his travels, miracles, and moral code—as well as the ethical and metaphysical doctrines attributed to him and his school. The biographies present both historical information and mythological embellishments, offering a vivid picture of how Pythagoras was remembered and revered in antiquity. Meanwhile, the philosophical fragments demonstrate the depth and diversity of Pythagorean thought, ranging from cosmology and mathematics to politics and daily conduct.
Compiled and edited by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie and introduced by Patrick Rousell, The Complete Pythagoras is an essential resource for anyone interested in ancient philosophy, early Western mysticism, or the roots of esoteric traditions. It is not just a historical document but a portal into one of the most enigmatic and influential minds of the ancient world.
Now available as a free and fully searchable PDF, this edition allows modern readers to engage directly with a tradition that helped shape the intellectual foundations of Western civilisation.
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The Complete Pythagoras
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