Pythagoras: Mathematician, Mystic, or Cult Leader?

This article delves into the enigmatic life of Pythagoras, the ancient Greek mathematician. Portrayed as a mathematical genius who founded a school of thought, his legacy is also shrouded in mystery and mysticism, particularly surrounding the discovery of irrational numbers. Legends speak of followers punished for revealing secrets, while his teachings influenced figures like Copernicus and Newton, and resonate with modern science's understanding of mathematics' role in nature. However, the true extent of fact versus myth in Pythagoras' life and doctrines remains a captivating enigma.