Pythagoras
~570–495 BCE · Greek (Samos) · Pre-Socratic
Known for: Part mathematician, part mystic, part cult leader—proved the theorem and banned beans in the same philosophy
He founded a secretive community in southern Italy that practiced vegetarianism, believed in reincarnation, and worshipped numbers. His theorem is the most famous result in math.
Charismatic, he reportedly claimed to remember past lives. His followers attributed all discoveries to him. He may have been killed in anti-Pythagorean violence.
Browse all 1,000 figures by category
Enable JavaScript to view the full "if they lived today" Q&A and personality profile.