68 GRECIAX EDUCATION. 



osophy, the Italic school, like the Ionic included every object of human 

 knowledge. 



But Pythagoras considered music and astronomy of special value. 

 He is supposed to have had some very correct views of astronomy, 

 agreeing with the Copernican system. The beautiful fancy of the music 

 of the spheres is attributed to him. The planets, striking on the ether 

 through which they pass, must produce a sound ; this must vary ac- 

 cording to their difleient magnitudes, velocities and relative distances ; 

 these differences were all adjusted with perfect, regulated and exact pro- 

 portions, so that the movements of the bodies produced the richest tones 

 of harmony, not heard, however, by mortal ears. 



One of his distinguishing peculiarities was the doctrine of Emana- 

 tions : God is the soul of the Universe, pervading all things, incorporeal ; 

 from him emanated four different degrees of intelligence : inferior gods, 

 demons, heroes and men. Another was the doctrine of the Metempsy- 

 chosis, or transmigration of souls." 



Pythagoras was well qualified by his attainments for exerting an in- 

 fluence upon his fellow nicn He did not undertake their instruction 

 without the most ample preparation. With a mnid of the most exalted 

 order, disciplined by the most careful study, he was fitted to be the 

 founder of a school, whicli, if it accomplished less than it might, was 

 nevertheless deserving of high admiration. Pythagoras M'as eminent in 

 various branches of science. His additions to Mathematics are well 

 known. The notation table is ascribed to him. That most useful pro- 

 position in Geometry, the 47th of the 1st book of Euclid, claims him as 

 its author. He was well versed in Astronomy, Medicine, Music, and 

 various species of secret learning. Some of his leading principles, as 

 presented by Schwartz in his Geschichte der Erziehung, are Harmony 

 is tlie end in every thing. Ft is the world — the world therefore x.ocriu.»i;, 

 and it should be in men; therefore they are the fi.iK^c-x.oc-f/.ai. The 

 harmony of the spheres is echoed in the cultivated mind. To this we 

 are led by purification of the soul, [KccB-a^c-i^^) by self-knowledge, 

 ('/v(y.9-< a-xvToi') and devotion. Man enters into communion with God 

 («jM,/Af<v ru B-£6>,) and obtains the highest happiness, when he comes to 

 the clear perception of real relations, of the admirable order and celes- 

 tial beauty. Purification is effected by a rigid life, under prescribed reg- 

 ulations, and requires both contemplation and action. 



Sensual desire (wJ'ovw) pollutes, leads from one lust to another, and 

 plunges into the miseries of violent passions. The soul of man is puri- 

 lied by migrating through many bodies, and then becomes prepared for 

 a more exalted slate of c.vistcncc. Self-knowledce consists not exclu- 



