Golden Verses of Pythagoras

The Golden Verses constitute the oldest extant Pythagorean teaching. Delivered by Pythagoras (6th century B.C.E.) and codified by his disciples, they convey the essential core of the exemplary way of life he initiated at Crotona. Hierocles composed his commentary on the Golden Verses at some time between 415 C.E. and 450 while he occupied the successor's chair of the Alexandrian Academy, the direct offshoot of the Platonic Academy in Athens. The translation of the commentary included here is adapted from that of N. Rowe. The text and the commentary are prefaced by an illuminating essay on "Pythagoras and His School" by Raghavan Iyer, President of The Pythagorean Sangha.