Neo-Pythagoreanism

Neo-Pythagoreanism stood to Pythagoras somewhat as Neoplatonism did to Plato, and was an Alexandrian development under oriental influences. It originated in the first half of the century before Christ, and was accordingly the predecessor of Neoplatonism. Neo-Pythagoreans may be divided into two groups, according as their aims were mainly practical—the purification and ennobling of life by asceticism, including theurgy, or more modestly metaphysical—basing their views on the Pythagorean theory of numbers (see PYTHAGORAS). Of the former school Apollonius (q.v.) of Tyana is the most conspicuous example; of the latter, Moderatus of Gades, Nicomachus of Gerasa (2d century A.D.), Archytas (q.v.), and Sextius. See the works cited at NEOPLATONISM.