Globe Earth Theory: Origin with Pythagoras
The Flat Earth model is a conception of Earth's shape as a plane or disk. Many ancient cultures believed in a flat Earth existence, including Greece until the classical period (5th century BC), the Bronze and Iron Age civilizations of the Near East until the Hellenistic period (31 BC), and China until the 17th century.
Flat Earth vs Sphere Earth
The earliest documented mention of the concept dates from around the 5th century BC, when it appears in the writings of Greek philosophers. In the 3rd century BC, Hellenistic astronomy established the roughly spherical shape of Earth as a physical fact and calculated the Earth's circumference."
WHO IS PYTHAGORAS OF SAMOS?
It was around 500 B.C. that Pythagoras first proposed a spherical Earth, mainly on aesthetic grounds rather than on any physical evidence. Like many Greeks, he believed the sphere was the most perfect shape.
Pythagoras of Samos
Pythagoras of Samos was an ancient Ionian Greek philosopher and the eponymous founder of Pythagoreanism.
His political and religious teachings were well known in Magna Graecia and influenced the philosophies of Plato, Aristotle, and, through them, the West in general.
His political and religious teachings were well known in Magna Graecia and influenced the philosophies of Plato, Aristotle, and, through them, the West in general.
In ancient times, Pythagoras and his contemporary Parmenides of Elea were both credited with having been the first to teach that the Earth was spherical, the first to divide the globe into five climatic zones, and the first to identify the morning star and the evening star as the same celestial object now known as Venus.
So an ancient philosopher in a time when people had not taken flight yet was able to determine that the Earth was round based on a philosophy? All before the America's was discovered?
Lets dig a little deeper into Pythagoras and see what history says about him.
So an ancient philosopher in a time when people had not taken flight yet was able to determine that the Earth was round based on a philosophy? All before the America's was discovered?
Lets dig a little deeper into Pythagoras and see what history says about him.
Unraveling Pythagoras:
The Enigma of Cult-Like Beliefs
In the annals of ancient philosophy, Pythagoras stands as a mystic figure, revered for his mathematical genius and profound spiritual teachings. However, beneath the surface of his scholarly pursuits lies a tapestry of beliefs and practices that some contemporary scholars regard as cult-like in nature.
Claiming Divine Heritage:
Pythagoras' assertion that he was the son of Hermes, the Greek god of communication and messenger of the gods, set the stage for a peculiar sense of divine entitlement within his teachings. Such claims of divine parentage often characterize cult leaders, suggesting a unique authority that followers are compelled to accept without question.
Promising Rebirth After Death:
The promise of rebirth after death, a central tenet in Pythagorean doctrine, mirrors the idea of salvation prevalent in many religious cults. By offering a path to eternal life, Pythagoras created a strong emotional bond with his followers, fostering a sense of exclusivity and dependency on his teachings for spiritual fulfillment.
Veiled Communication:
Speaking to his followers from behind a curtain, a practice attributed to Pythagoras, added an aura of mystery and secrecy to his interactions. Cults often employ such tactics to create an atmosphere of reverence, where the leader's words carry heightened importance. This separation intensifies the followers' reliance on the leader's guidance and wisdom.
Belief in Esoteric Abilities:
The belief that Pythagoras and his followers could write on the Moon implies a level of supernatural power. Cults often exploit such mystical claims to create awe and subservience among their adherents. The conviction in Pythagoras' lunar communication showcases the extent to which his followers believed in his extraordinary abilities, strengthening their loyalty.
Numerological Worship:
Pythagoras' focus on the significance of the number 10 in his teachings extended beyond mathematics and permeated his spiritual doctrines. Numerological obsessions are a hallmark of many cults, where specific numbers are imbued with profound meaning, leading followers to engage in ritualistic behaviors or decisions based on these numerical interpretations.
The Sacrifice of 100 Oxen:
One of the most enigmatic aspects of Pythagoras' legacy is the tale of his sacrificial ritual upon discovering his famous theorem, a story that further adds to the mystical aura surrounding his teachings. According to historical accounts, Pythagoras purportedly sacrificed 100 oxen as an expression of gratitude and reverence to the gods.
In dissecting Pythagoras' teachings and practices, it becomes apparent that his legacy, while remarkable, is shrouded in an air of mystery and devotion that bears resemblance to cult-like dynamics. The allure of divine connections, promises of eternal life, secretive interactions, supernatural claims, and numerological obsessions are aspects that raise intriguing questions about the nature of his influence and the devotion of his followers. Whether Pythagoras' school of thought was a genuine pursuit of wisdom or a form of ancient cultism remains an enigma, inviting further exploration into the depths of his teachings.
Claiming Divine Heritage:
Pythagoras' assertion that he was the son of Hermes, the Greek god of communication and messenger of the gods, set the stage for a peculiar sense of divine entitlement within his teachings. Such claims of divine parentage often characterize cult leaders, suggesting a unique authority that followers are compelled to accept without question.
Promising Rebirth After Death:
The promise of rebirth after death, a central tenet in Pythagorean doctrine, mirrors the idea of salvation prevalent in many religious cults. By offering a path to eternal life, Pythagoras created a strong emotional bond with his followers, fostering a sense of exclusivity and dependency on his teachings for spiritual fulfillment.
Veiled Communication:
Speaking to his followers from behind a curtain, a practice attributed to Pythagoras, added an aura of mystery and secrecy to his interactions. Cults often employ such tactics to create an atmosphere of reverence, where the leader's words carry heightened importance. This separation intensifies the followers' reliance on the leader's guidance and wisdom.
Belief in Esoteric Abilities:
The belief that Pythagoras and his followers could write on the Moon implies a level of supernatural power. Cults often exploit such mystical claims to create awe and subservience among their adherents. The conviction in Pythagoras' lunar communication showcases the extent to which his followers believed in his extraordinary abilities, strengthening their loyalty.
Numerological Worship:
Pythagoras' focus on the significance of the number 10 in his teachings extended beyond mathematics and permeated his spiritual doctrines. Numerological obsessions are a hallmark of many cults, where specific numbers are imbued with profound meaning, leading followers to engage in ritualistic behaviors or decisions based on these numerical interpretations.
The Sacrifice of 100 Oxen:
One of the most enigmatic aspects of Pythagoras' legacy is the tale of his sacrificial ritual upon discovering his famous theorem, a story that further adds to the mystical aura surrounding his teachings. According to historical accounts, Pythagoras purportedly sacrificed 100 oxen as an expression of gratitude and reverence to the gods.
In dissecting Pythagoras' teachings and practices, it becomes apparent that his legacy, while remarkable, is shrouded in an air of mystery and devotion that bears resemblance to cult-like dynamics. The allure of divine connections, promises of eternal life, secretive interactions, supernatural claims, and numerological obsessions are aspects that raise intriguing questions about the nature of his influence and the devotion of his followers. Whether Pythagoras' school of thought was a genuine pursuit of wisdom or a form of ancient cultism remains an enigma, inviting further exploration into the depths of his teachings.
Conversation with ChatGPT about Pythagoras.
Asking ChatGPT very specific questions about Pythagoras after asking it to provide simple answers.
Check out the results.
Check out the results.
SOURCES:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagoras
- https://listverse.com/2017/04/26/10-strange-facts-about-pythagoras-mathematician-and-cult-leader/
- https://classicalwisdom.com/philosophy/cult-of-pythagoras/
- https://www.truhavn.com/news/indigenous-cultures-that-used-psychedelic-plants
