Authentic memoirs of the life of Pythagoras the father of philosophy and the inventor of geometry hold great interest for every lover of wisdom. Iamblichus' biography is universally acknowledged as deriving from sources of the highest antiquity. Its classic translation by Thomas Taylor was first printed in 1818 and is once again brought to light in this edition.
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Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Greek
Original Language: Greek
About the Author
The translator of this work, Thomas Taylor, is known for his authoritative translations of the Platonists; he was practically the sole source of Neo-Platonic thought in the transcendentalist movement of New England. Iamblichus' Life of Pythagoras was a constant source of inspiration to the transcendentalists and a major influence on their writings throughout the Nineteenth Century. Taylor's work was enthusiastically acclaimed by Emerson, who referred to the translator as "a Greek born out of his time, and dropped on the ridicule of a blind and frivolous age."
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4.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Medium for the Introduction to the Life and Teachings of Pythagoras,
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This review is from: Iamblichus' Life of Pythagoras (Paperback)
Approximately eight-hundred years had lapsed since the passing of Pythagoras when Iamblichus penned his biography on the venerable philosopher sometime in the early 4th century AD. Yet Iamblichus was, by all means, wholly qualified for the task of compiling a fluid account of Pythagoras' life and work [collected from various histories and testamonia, ancient and closer to his time], since Iamblichus himself was an adept and ingenious philosopher, a mystic and pontiff who was the archetypal Platonist and Pythagorean. And moreover, he was enthusiastic, indeed one might say evangelic, in the transmission and dissemination of the teachings stemming from the Platonic/Pythagorean tradition. The Life of Pythagoras, then, was a cornerstone to the larger structure which he erected as an encyclopedia concerning Pythagoreanism. Other works included in Iamblichus' Pythagoric compendium are engaged with mathematical and numerical theory, commentary on the Pythagorean symbols and an exhortation to live the philosophic life, which also contains a commentary on many famed aphorisms belonging to the Pythagorean tradition [see, Thomas M. Johnson, Exhortation to Phil.]. The Life of Pythagoras is rich in detail and covers Pythagoras' life, work and legacy, while simaltaneously conveying tales pertaining to events sacred, miraculous [resembling early Christian hagiography] and mundane. Also included in the Life are scrupulous descriptions of Pythagorean doctrine and ritual practice and as an epilogue, Iamblichus furnishes us with a list of those philosophers who followed the Pythagorean succession. All in all, Iamblichus' biographical tribute to Pythagoras will serve as an excellent medium for the introduction to the life and teachings of Pythagoras.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book,
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This review is from: Iamblichus' Life of Pythagoras (Paperback)
For being written a couple thousand years ago, this book is pretty good. Although wordy it gives a great narrative of Pythagoras after he returned home from his Egyptian and Summarian travels.
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First Sentence:
SINCE it is usual with all men of sound understandings, to call on divinity, when entering on any philosophic discussion, it is certainly much more appropriate to do this in the consideration of that philosophy which justly receives its denomination from t Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Pythian Apollo, Sacred Discourse, Pherecydes the Syrian, Hyperborean Apollo, Nicomachean Ethics New!
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SINCE it is usual with all men of sound understandings, to call on divinity, when entering on any philosophic discussion, it is certainly much more appropriate to do this in the consideration of that philosophy which justly receives its denomination from t Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Pythian Apollo, Sacred Discourse, Pherecydes the Syrian, Hyperborean Apollo, Nicomachean Ethics New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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This book cites 4
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9
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- The Theology of Plato by Proclus on 5 pages
- The Nicomachean Ethics (Oxford World's Classics) by Aristotle on 4 pages
- Life of Pythagoras by Iamblichus in Front Matter
- Aristotle: On the Heavens (Loeb Classical Library No. 338) by Aristotle on page 33
- Symbolic Teachings or Masonry and Its Message by Thomas M. Stewart on page 5
- The Golden Verses of Pythagoras by Florence Firth in Front Matter
- The Golden Chain: An Anthology of Pythagorean and Platonic Philosophy (Treasures of the World's Religions) by Algis Uzdavinys on page 14
- Numerology: The Power in Numbers by Ruth A. Drayer in Back Matter
- Map is not Territory: Studies in the History of Religions by Jonathan Z. Smith on page 197
See all 9 books citing this book
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