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Pythagoras


Detail engraving from the title page of Antonio Cocchi's Del vitto Pitagorico showing a seated Greek male figure in a toga with bare chest balancing a stick on an orb on a column with Greek text surrounding it stating, 'the Pythagorean diet'. (Florence: Francesco Moücke, 1743). NLM Call number: WZ 260 C655d 1743. Pythagoras (born about 580 B.C.E.) was a Greek philosopher best known today for his mathematical theorems. He was better known in his own time for his philosophy of the mind and soul which put an emphasis upon purity and catharsis. While few of his or his followers’ writings are extant, it was believed that he promoted health through a special vegetarian diet.


Title page of Antonio Cocchi's Del vitto Pitagorico with detail engraving showing a seated Greek male figure in a toga with bare chest balancing a stick on an orb on a column with Greek text surrounding it stating, 'the Pythagorean diet'. (Florence: Francesco Moücke, 1743). NLM Call number: WZ 260 C655d 1743. Cocchi, Antonio. Del vitto Pitagorico. (Firenze: Franceso Moücke, 1743).

Antonio Cocchi legitimized his theories about vegetarianism by citing Pythagoras.


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