Iamblichus' Life of Pythagoras

administration of public affairs. However, as he easily saw the difficulty of complying with the laws of his country while remaining at home to practice philosophy, and considering that all philosophers before him had lived in foreign countries, he decided to abandon political life. According to the testimony of others, he was prompted to do this by the Samians' negligence regarding education, so he went to Italy, believing that place to be his true home, as men well-disposed toward learning were found there in the greatest abundance.

His journey was so successful that upon his arrival at Crotona, the noblest city in Italy, he gained many followers—numbering, it is said, six hundred. They were inspired by his lectures not only to study philosophy but also to share their worldly goods in common, from which they acquired the name Cœnobitæ (people who live in common).

CHAP. VI.

These were the true philosophers. However, the greatest part of his disciples consisted of listeners called Acusmatici (those who listen to the oral teachings). According to Nicomachus, upon Pythagoras's first arrival in Italy, over two thousand people were captivated by a single public oration. These, along with their wives and children, were gathered into one vast, common auditory called the Homacoïon (a place of shared listening). Because of its size, it resembled a city, and it founded a region universally called Magna Græcia (Great Greece). This great multitude of people received laws and mandates from Pythagoras as if they were divine commandments. Without his guidance, they undertook no occupation, living together in great harmony, celebrated and ranked by their neighbors among the blessed. At...