\begin{definition}[Definition:Pythagoreans]
The '''Pythagoreans''' were a semi-mystical cult which dated from around $550$ B.C.E., founded by {{AuthorRef|Pythagoras of Samos}}.
Can claim to be the world's first university.
It is feasible to suggest that their initial work in the field of geometry may have formed the basis of at least the first two books of {{ElementsLink}}.
Attendees of the school were divided into two classes:
:the '''Probationers''' (or '''listeners''')
:the '''Pythagoreans'''.
A student was a '''listener''' for $3$ years, after which he was allowed to be initiated into the class of '''Pythagoreans''', who were allowed to learn what was considered to be the deeper secrets.
'''Pythagoreans''' were a closely-knit brotherhood, who held all their worldly goods in common, and were bound by oath never to reveal the secrets of the Founder.
There exists a legend that one of the '''Pythagoreans''' was thrown overboard to drown after having revealed the existence of the regular dodecahedron.
For some considerable time they dominated the political life of {{WP|Crotone|Croton}}, where they were based, but in $501$ B.C.E. there was a popular revolt in which a number of the leaders of the school were murdered.
{{AuthorRef|Pythagoras of Samos|Pythagoras}} himself was murdered soon after.
Some sources state that the reasons for this were based on the fact that their puritanical philosophy was at odds with the contemporary way of thinking. Others suggest that there was a reaction against their autocratic rule.
Whatever the truth of the matter, between $501$ and about $460$ B.C.E. the political influence of the cult was destroyed.
Its survivors scattered, many of them fleeing to {{WP|Thebes,_Egypt|Thebes}} in {{WP|Upper_Egypt|Upper Egypt}}, where they continued to exist more as a philosophical and mathematical society for another couple of centuries, secretive and ascetic to the end, publishing nothing, ascribing all their discoveries to the Master, {{AuthorRef|Pythagoras of Samos|Pythagoras}} himself.
\end{definition}