Dicearchus (Fr. 41 Mirhady) on Pythagoras’ Death

Abstract

This study proposes a close reading of Dicearchus of Messana’s account of the circumstances surrounding Pythagoras’s death (fr. 41 Mirhady). As the analysis shows, the purpose of Dicearchus’ account was to demonstrate that at the moment of the anti-Pythagorean revolt the philosopher was not welcomed in any Italian cities because he was perceived as a danger to social and political stability. Such an interpretation of authorial intention stems from a new reading of the scene of Pythagoras’ death in the temple of the Muses. Considering Dicearchus’ narrative as a whole, it can be assumed that Pythagoras as a supplicant sought the protection of the gods, and his death should be interpreted as the effect of the philosopher’s isolation in the temple by the inhabitants of Metapontum. Moreover, the author of this study considers the presence of the Muses in the story and the significance of this fact in the hypothesis concerning the essential role of the goddesses in the Pythagorean movement.