M for Myia: Female Scientists Before Our Time

As a Pythagorean philosopher and mathematician, you might say Myia fell into Pythagoreanism quite naturally. Her father, Pythagoras himself, founded the movement around 530 BC and her mother, Theano, was a devout pupil and follower.

As a girl, Myia led a seeming active life. She led a choir and one might suppose she loved to sing as well. As an adult, she was considered devoutly religious, but a remark by Lucian, a satirist known for his wit and cynicism, does not paint a picture of a quiet young woman. He claimed her history was known to everyone, which of course could mean half a dozen things. 

Myia went on to marry a famous athlete, Milo of Croton, a wrestler. It’s said he saved his father-in-law’s life when a pillar collapsed and he held up the roof so Pythagoras could escape to safety. Milo won many victories as a wrestler, including six times as an Olympiad athlete.

Milo of Croton, marble - Edme Dumont (1722–1775)

Myia perhaps led a quieter life back at home tending to family. A letter survives written by Myia, in which she advises a woman on the care of her baby. She suggested “moderation in all things” for the child - food, clothing, heating, etc., even the baby’s nurse. One of the dictates of Pythagoreanism for women was to “learn practical domestic skills” in addition to the philosophy.

Pythagorean philosophy in general was greatly influenced by mathematics and mysticism. Much of the teaching can be traced to different disciplines and peoples. From the Egyptians came geometry, the Phoenicians - arithmetic, the Chaldeans - astronomy, and the Magians - religion and practical dictates for conducting one’s life. 

Pythagoreans celebrate sunrise - Fyodor Bronnikov

Pythagoras and his followers also explored the fields of music, astronomy and medicine. “Pythagoreans distinguished three kinds of lives: Theoretic, Practical and Apolaustic.” [Apolausic defined - dedicated to enjoyment].




Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myia; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milo_of_Croton; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagoreanism

Sharon M. Himsl

Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011. 
Published with Evernight Teen: 
~~The Shells of Mersing

D for Damo: Female Scientists Before Our Time

Damo was a philosopher born in southern Italy (Crotone) in 535 BC to parents Pythagoras and Theano. She may have had two sisters and a brother.  She belonged to a Pythagorean sect that followed the philosophical teachings of her father Pythagoras, who has been called “the first man to call himself a philosopher, or lover of wisdom.” 

The philosophy would greatly influenced religion and philosophy in the 6th century, including the beliefs and tenets of Aristotle and Plato. Historically and of most importance, Pythagorean philosophy began a movement that would deepen the "moral consciousness in Greece." 

There was a strong connection between the science of mathematics and mysticism in the philosophy. Numbers were important and represented the "essence and basis of all things," and there were complicated applications to music, cosmology, psychology, theology and ethics.

Damo is thought to have guarded and passed down her father’s writings to a daughter, but none have ever been found. 

Greek women: Mathematicians and Philosophers

Perhaps the writings--and this is pure speculation--were hidden under the daughter's clothing or in a secret compartment known only to a servant. A fatal illness took her in the night and the writings were stolen . . .

I sometimes imagine the archive boxes I have saved for my children will one day be carted off to a dump or an antique store. Not all history can be saved or deserves to be saved.  Do you ever wonder about this?

Source: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damo_(philosopher);
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagoras
https://www3.nd.edu/~maritain/jmc/etext/hop02.htm

Sharon M. Himsl

Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011. 
Published with Evernight Teen: 
~~The Shells of Mersing