Letter to Thales - Pythagoras

Blog post 1: c.555 BCE. Letter to Thales

Dear Thales,

How long it has been since we have walked in your halls pondering the ways of the universe. I hope you are well with your new pupils. I have just completed my expedition to Egypt as you have encouraged me. I am eager to pursue the Egyptian Mysteries. But I must say, over my voyage, I have developed my own set of mysteries, for our world is filled with the music of the Gods.

I see numbers everywhere, just like your trios in philosophy; I see numbers in all forms of life. There are three types of men for example: he who goes to the games to buy and sell (the lowliest), he who comes to compete (the admirable), and he who comes to observe (the highest); three types I say, those who love gain, honor, or wisdom. And it us and others like ourselves, the lovers of wisdom, who can see the world with the Eyes of the Gods. Like myself, we men (philosophers), are of Gods and men.

I see it in music with the givens like hot and cold. Let me show you, for each sound you may whistle there is a corresponding opposite which is pleasing, similar to the notes above and below, yet leave and movement of threes or opposites and you hear dissonance. Listen to a bird call, how they chirp in threes. And it is in threes that such harmonies are found. Tell me, can these mysteries be seen through numbers? For I have found with my own senses beauty in the world, music in my eyes, and the work of the Gods all around us.

I fret my dear teacher, for by the time I see you next I will be inducted into a new look on life, and you will be too old to teach. The burden of knowledge and forging the minds of our young rests upon your students now. I have thought of such a school; a beautiful sanctuary. I would finally introduce women as we do men, for they are of the same stock. We would all eat properly, live well, and in a marriage unto ourselves. Our own world, our little pantheon where we could all follow Pythagoras. Did you too feel that mix of fear and pride when you, too, began to teach?

Alas I must end this letter dear friend, for the night is upon us and I must resume my travels to the initiation and await my fate. One must not linger long in these parts for Croton cannot keep his peace and slavers are about. I pray I will not have to confront them. As I said, when you hear the song of the birds listen, for they speak the language of our trios. I feel the current of a deep truth beneath these thoughts. Please ponder this and write me your thoughts on these matters. The more we toil, the more the language of the Gods unravels, and for that reason I continue my studies of music.

With you in mind,

Pythagoras

Caption: The work I have been doing in music theory where I have found the trios and the characteristics of numbers; their strengths their weaknesses, even their relationship to the heavens.