Vat.lat.5953

This same version is held in codex 4530.

The books of Iamblichus of Chalcis on the Pythagorean sect.
First, on the Pythagorean life.
Second, an exhortation to philosophy.
Third, on general mathematical science.
Fourth, on the introduction to the arithmetic of Nicomachus: which contains information on the science of arithmetic, geometry, and music according to the Pythagoreans.

Chapters of the First Book.

Ch. 1

Preface on the homeland of Pythagoras: In which an invocation of the gods is offered, and the usefulness and the difficult labor original: cultus, here referring to the cultivation or scholarly devotion required for the subject of this treatise is shown.

Ch. 2

Concerning Pythagoras: his lineage, his homeland, his upbringing, his education, his travels, his return home, and his journey and departure from there into Italy, and a useful account of his whole life.

Ch. 3

What his voyage to Phoenicia was like, and his stay there; and what his travels from there to Egypt were, and how they were accomplished.

Ch. 4

What his life was like in Egypt, and how he went from there to Babylon, and how he lived there with the Magi Ancient Persian priests and sages renowned for their knowledge of astronomy and philosophy.

Ch. 5

How he returned again to Samos; what his life in Samos was like after his return; and how he instructed a namesake original: univocum, likely referring to the younger Pythagoras whom the elder mentored with his miraculous skill. His travels to the Greeks, and all his training in Samos.

Ch. 6

The reasons why he traveled to Italy; and concerning this journey, a general description of what kind of man Pythagoras was and of his philosophy.

Ch. 7

Certain common forms of his speeches in Italy, and what his method was toward the people he mentored and his sharing of reasoning.

Ch. 8

When and how he proceeded to Croton, what he did at the first meeting, and what speeches he delivered to the young men.

Ch. 9

With what arguments he debated in the assemblies before the leaders of the Republic concerning the best speeches and practices.

Ch. 10

What advice he gave to the boys of Croton in the temple of Apollo during his first visit original: pegrinatione, a scribal abbreviation for peregrinatione.