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The Pythagorean Sourcebook and Library: An Anthology of Ancient Writings Which Relate to Pythagoras and Pythagorean Philosophy

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This is an invaluable and comprehensive collection of writings connected with Pythagoras and the Pythagorean tradition. The Sourcebook contains important historical material, along with philosophical/theological treatises dealing with ethics, cosmology, natural philosophy, theosophy, numerology, geometry, music and logic, all of which are integral for our understanding of Pythagoras, who alludes us because he left nothing written behind. Of particular merit is the lengthy Life of Pythagoras by Iamblichus, which is rich in detail and covers Pythagoras' life, work and legacy, while simaltaneously conveying tales pertaining to events sacred, miraculous 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. Another noteworthy historical work on Pythagoras is the great platonic scholar Porphyry's Life of Pythagoras, which is much shorter than Iamblichus' but much more critical and academic, asserting itself as a veritable piece of historiography. The work of chronologists Diogenes Laertius and Byzantine Ecclesiastic Photius also are presented here to complement the former. Next comes the superabundance of philosophical treatises as varied in authorship as they are in subject. Writings from eminent Pythagorean sages like Philolaus, Archytas and Aristoxenus, are included and are just a mere fragment of the total litany of treatises to sample from in this Pythagoric Library. The introductory essay and glossary, the charts and diagrams, coupled with the informative appendix, are also a great help and add further value to this edition. All in all, The Pythagorean Sourcebook and Library is the ultimate readers guide and reference tool for the study of Pythagoras gathered into a single volume. This abundant collection of rare and indispensible works is offered at a give-away-price and should definitley be on the shelves of any classicist or philosopher. Another volume to pair with this would be Dillon's Neoplatonism: Introductory Readings, which is the best collection on NP works in one volume.

Although this book is excellent, it was billed as containing all existing fragments of ancient writings about Pythagoras, yet within the book itself, modern translations of ancient documents are mentioned that are not included. If something bills itself as complete, that is exactly what I expect. Nonetheless, I am glad I bought it, and would recommend it as one of the key works to own on Pythagoras.

Pythagoras is arguably the father of western culture. Certainly his theories have had a profound effect on the development of mathematics, music, architecture, the visual arts, philosophy, qabalah, astrology, astronomy, and the list goes on. Much as today's fans of Plato refer to Aristotle as a mere shadow of the former great man, so too can fans of Pythagoras say the same of Plato. Pythagoras was the first man to call himself a philosopher -- a lover of wisdom.

This book contains translations of all of Pythagoras' extant work, as well as many short essays by his contemporaries and students. There are many diagrams and charts which serve to effectively clarify his ideas. Overall, this book is a must have for any who seek truth.

Why should the student of metaphysics be drawn to study Pythagoras? It is because his school represents the pre-Christian spiritual teachings of the West? Too many people dismiss the beliefs of the classical world as centering around idol worship of the Olympian pantheon. When you read of the One, you realise that there was much, much more to it than that. Also, if you accept that Plato was a major influence on Christian thought, it is interesting to see where Plato seems to have drawn so much of his metaphysical, political, and ethical foundation. Then there is the strange fact that these teachings come from a time before spirituality and science became mutually unintelligible. Heart and brain had not yet divorced in the West...

The first part of this work is an excellent introduction to the basic Pythagorean history and principles (Number, Kosmos, Harmonia, the Monocord, the Tetraktys, the Soul, etc.) I am usually annoyed by scholarly introductions but this one is useful, perceptive, and concise.

The second part is composed of translations of the classical biographies (Iamblichus, Porphyry, Photius, Diogenes Laertius.)

The third part (the Pythagorean Library) is a remarkable collection of works ranging from the Golden Verses and maxims to obscure fragments.

This is followed by a series of appendixes covering the Tetraktys, Titles of the First Ten Numbers, Formations and Ratios of the Pythagorean Scale, and Pythagorean Mathematical Discoveries.

The Contents are well broken down by title and subject, there is both a index of proper names and topics, and a bibliography of primary texts and secondary sources (no- this isn't truly a comprehensive reference of everything Pythagorean.) There are a number of relevent line drawings illustrating the text.

Read the entire introduction, then spend your time browsing the rest of the collection- or use it strictly as an excellent and accessible reference.

"The Pythagorean Sourcebook and Library" is a fascinating entrance into world of the ancient ancients. My exposure to Pythagoras had been limited to his mathematical theorem taught in high school geometry. Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie excellent book brings the enormous range of Pythagoras' interests alive for the modern reader. Pythagoras' works in Harmonics, Number, Political Science, Education, and a host other important subjects were foundational ideas and concepts explored and modified by later thinkers. David Fideler's Introduction sets the stage for this modern, easy to read and understand translation that forms the substance of the book. Both the Translations and Introduction work to make this volume so appealing. Highly recommended for those who have ever wondered about those obscure references pointing to Pythagoras. A lover and student of Wisdom, Pythagoras claims the title First Philosopher.

Pythagoras did not write anything down. Everything in his mystery schools was transmitted orally, and like all the mystery schools, the adepts did not give out any information to the unwashed hordes (people like you and me).

The book is a compilation of all the fragments written by Pythagorean heavyweights. The Introduction covers Pythagorean theory on math and harmonics, as does the Appendix. Not to worry - you can get by without any advanced knowledge of mathematics.

The fragments and writings cover both his life and his doctrines. Some of the fragments, from Archytas in particular, were not only hard to read but also hard to follow the logic. Some sections I read and re-read before finally moving on. I understood the concept, but the logic was way over my head. Other writings, about his views on women and marriage, were more than a little sexist and very entertaining.

It is a very interesting book and well worth reading.

If you are eager to get to the root of philosophy and discover new meaning to life, this text is a gem. I just love the indepth treatment of Pythagoras's thinking. Other Greek thinkers are included to round out the Pythagorean philosophy of life. Excellent scholarship abounds. A marvelous book to take to the cafe with you. An inner cleansing awaits!

With our present understanding of Egyptian, Babylonian and Persian Temple instruction for young scribes as 'grammatical priests' on their way to 'prophet' priests, their goal was the Science of the Divine or theology (as we would call it).

Here Professor Guthrie has assimilated the knowledge-base of pythagorean learning. It should be remembered that Pythagoras had the opportunity to study under Egyptian and Chaldaean [fusion of Babylonian, Elamite & Median culture under Persian rule] priestly scholars who formulated the notion of 'lover of wisdom' for him.

The rest is human history in the Western World!

It was the Persian Empire with its assiduous devotion to moral purity & truth [its twin cultural ideals (to this day)] that formulated the concept of Philosopher. The Greeks with Socrates, Plato & Aristotle reflected the general mental environment of Persian satrapies, such as near-by Ionia, and built upon the work product of the pre-Socratics (many of them traveling scholars to Athens from various Persian provinces).

This book serves as a necessary source-book where all the various 'testimonia et fragmenta' can be found.

Professor Guthrie has performed a great service for humane scholarship! All modern philosophers or 'concept engineers' (as they now are called) must own this treatise that serves as the dividing line between Oriental wisdom knowledge and Western philosophical speculation.

"Seek truth and beauty together; you will never find them apart."
Pythagoras

The books starts with an excellent introduction into Pythagorean ideas about "The One", musical, aesthetic and mathematical theories, education and their view of the Soul. There are long chapters by neoplatonists (Iamblichus, Diogenes Laertius, etc) and rare texts by P. contemporaries Philolaus and Archytas. Most of the texts are by authors writing hundreds of years after Pythagoras' death, including epigrams, sayings and texts by Plato, Aristotle and Church fathers such as Clement of Alexandria and Lactantius. The book is as comprehensive as it can be.

Pythagoras was essentially a midwife of our civilization, establishing the discourse that was continued by his disciples such as Empedocles, Parmenides and even Plato. Honoring the Muses, loving music, the art of friendship are, for a Pythagorean, the fundamental aspects of a life worth living. In Pythagorean universe there is no separation between science, cosmology and human spirit, nor was there a cleft between physics and metaphysics that appeared later with Aristotle and the Rennaissance. Pythagoras school raised some of the most enlightened, effective and impressive politicians and philosophers of the period, including Parmenides. Intellect's ability to know Truth depends on the soul's ability to draw from its own innate Goodness. Desires lead us to misery and loneliness.

I was struck by the many similarities to Buddhist ideas which were developing at about the same time (5th century BC).

In a nutshell, I found the book illuminating and inspiring.

This is a refrence book with a lot of material and good citations. I didint sit down and read it cover to cover, but I did use it when I was reading other books on the topic. I recommend it.