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

Front Cover
Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie, David R. Fideler
Red Wheel/Weiser, Jan 1, 1987 - Philosophy - 361 pages
This anthology, the largest collection of Pythagorean writings ever to appear in English, contains the four ancient biographies of Pythagoras and over 25 Pythagorean and Neopythagorean writings from the Classical and Hellenistic periods. The material of this book is indispensable for anyone who wishes to understand the real spiritual roots of Western civilization.
 

Contents

The Life of Pythagoras
57
2 His Youth Education Travels
58
3 His Journey to Egypt
60
4 His Studies in Egypt and Babylonia
61
6 The Pythagorean Community
63
7 Italian Political Achievements
64
9 Community and Chastity
66
10 His Advice to Youths
68
On Felicity
213
On a Republic
215
On Sanctitiy
219
Concerning a Kingdom
220
On the Virtues
223
The Preface to the Laws of Zaleucus the Locrian
227
The Preface to the Laws of Charondas the Catanean
229
On the Felicity of Families
233

11 His Advice to Women
69
12 Why he Called himself a Philosopher
70
14 On Pythagoras Preexistence
71
15 How Pythagoras Cured by Medicine and Music
72
16 Pythagorean Asceticism
73
17 Tests of Pythagorean Initiation
74
18 Organization of the Pythagorean School
76
19 His Relations with Abaris the Hyperborean
78
20 Psychological Requirements
79
22 On Pythagorean Friendship
80
23 The Use of Parables in Instruction
81
24 His Dietary Suggestions
82
26 His Study of Musical Harmonics
84
27 Political and Social Achievements of the Pythagoreans
86
28 Concerning the Divinity of Pythagoras
88
29 Pythagorean Sciences and Maxims
94
30 His Theory of Justice and Political Philosophy
97
31 Pythagorean Temperance and SelfControl
101
32 Courage or Fortitude
106
33 Universal Friendship
110
34 Miscellaneous Topics
112
35 The Attack on Pythagoreanism
114
36 The Pythagorean Succession
118
The Life of Pythagoras by Porphyry of Tyre
121
The Anonymous Life of Pythagoras Preserved by Photius
135
The Life of Pythagoras by Diogenes Laertius
139
4 Transmigration
140
6 General Views of Life
141
8 Social Customs
142
13 Measures and Weights
143
16 Friendship Founded on Symbols
144
19 Various Teachings
145
20 Poetic Testimonies
148
21 The Death of Pythagoras
149
22 Pythagoras Family
150
23 Jesting Epigrams
151
24 The Last Pythagoreans
152
26 Pythagoras Letter
153
The Pythagorean Symbols or Maxims
157
The Golden Verses of Pythagoras
161
The Fragments of Philolaus
165
The Fragments of Archytas
175
On the Nature of the Universe
201
A Fragment on Laws
211
On the Harmony of a Women
237
Apothegms
241
Concerning Human Life
243
On Tranquility
245
Concerning Virtue
247
On Prudence and Prosperity
249
On Justice
251
On A Kingdom
253
On Kings
255
On Parents
259
On Womens Temperance
261
A Fragment of Clinias
263
Select Sentences of Sextus the Pythagorean
265
Select Pythagorean Sentences
269
From Stobaeus
270
From Clement of Alexandria
272
The Ethical Fragments of Hierocles
273
On Conduct Towards our Country
274
On Conduct Towards the Parents
275
On Fraternal Love
277
On Marriage
279
On Conduct Towards Our Relatives
282
On Economics
283
On the World and the Soul
285
2 Creation of the World
286
4 Planetary Revolutions and Time
288
6 Concretion of the Elements
289
7 Composition of the Soul
290
8 Sensations
291
10 Disorders
292
11 Discipline
293
12 Human Destiny
294
Passages from the Church Fathers
295
Passages from Plato and Aristotle
297
Passages from the Doxographers
305
how Many Tetraktys are There
315
Pythagorean Titles of the First Ten Numbers
319
Pythagorean Mathematical Discoveries
327
Glossary of Select Pythagorean Terms
331
Bibliography
333
Index of Proper Names
353
Index of Select Topics
357
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About the author (1987)

David Fideler holds a Ph. D. in philosophy and the history of science and cosmology. A recognized authority on the Pythagorean school, he is the editor of The Pythagorean Sourcebook and Library; author of Jesus Christ, Sun of God; translator of Love's Alchemy; and editor of the humanities journal Alexandria.

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