The Enigma of Pythagoras

In this episode of "The Secret History of Western Esotericism" podcast, Errol Fontenelle delves into the enigma of Pythagoras, the pre-Socratic philosopher. The episode, the first of a trilogy, focuses on separating the historical figure from the mythological persona. It explores the earliest evidence of Pythagoras' life and teachings, drawing from the doxographic tradition while acknowledging the fragmentary and contradictory nature of the available information. The discussion highlights Pythagoras' reputation for learning, his doctrine of reincarnation, association with Egyptian wisdom and Orphic ideas, and the presence of mystery cult-like prohibitions. The episode concludes by noting the absence of mathematical or geometrical concepts in the earliest accounts, portraying Pythagoras as a "soul manipulator" akin to a shaman, while setting the stage for future episodes to explore the numerical mysteries associated with him.