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Pythagoras was born in Samos and was active mainly in Croton and Metapontium in the second half of the 6th century B.C. His followers were called Pythagorioi and exerted important influence over the cities of Magna Graecia, until the 4th century B.C. The Ionian philosopher -who is also mentioned as a hierophant in the eastern worship of the Great Mother- had succeded in blending elements of Babylonian mathematics, Persian religion and most probably of Indian perceptions about transmigration. The teaching of Pythagoras included elements similar to the orphic notions about the immortality of the soul and the existence of "another world", whereas at the same time it encouraged an ascetic life, based on strict rules. The new perception about the soul, which had nothing in common with what we know from Homer, was intended to influence Hellenistic philosophical currents to a great extent and to prepare the ground for Christian doctrines.
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