The Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras (c. 580-c. 500 B.C.) is one of the few figures in ancient times, or indeed in any age, who warrants comparison to the extraordinary Imhotep. Although he is best known for his famous geometrical theorem, his accomplishments ranged far beyond mathematics and involved areas as diverse as music, politics, and religion. Like Imhotep, he was a figure larger than life. Some historians suggest that he never really lived; in fact it appears highly likely that he did live some time during the 500s B.C. (Imhotep was only a bit less ancient to Pythagoras than Pythagoras is to modern people.)
Born on Samos, an Ionian island off the coast of Asia Minor, Pythagoras later settled in Crotona in southern
Born on Samos, an Ionian island off the coast of Asia Minor, Pythagoras later settled in Crotona in southern