Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
XXXIV: Pythagoras—Egyptian Deities—Oracles explained
This chapter explores the philosophical and religious beliefs of the ancient world, beginning with the teachings of Pythagoras, including his doctrines of numbers, harmony, and the transmigration of souls.
What happens
This chapter explores the philosophical and religious beliefs of the ancient world, beginning with the teachings of Pythagoras, including his doctrines of numbers, harmony, and the transmigration of souls. It then describes the Egyptian pantheon, focusing on the myth of Osiris and Isis, the worship of Apis, and the nature of oracles, particularly the oracle of Jupiter at Dodona.
Themes in this chapter
Mortality and Immortality
The chapter discusses the immortality of the soul through Pythagorean metempsychosis and the Egyptian myth of Osiris's death and resurrection.
Cultural Transmission and Education
Pythagoras's travels to Egypt, Persia, and India for learning, and his establishment of a disciplined school at Crotona, highlight the transmission of knowledge.
Love and Transformation
Isis's devoted search for Osiris's body and the transformation of the tree enclosing his coffin into a sacred column illustrate love and metamorphosis.
Characters to notice
- Osiris
Central figure in the Egyptian myth; god of the sun, Nile, and agriculture; murdered by his brother Typhon; his body is recovered by Isis.
- Isis
Wife of Osiris; goddess of the earth; searches for and recovers the body of Osiris after his murder.
- Anubis
Guardian god with a dog's head; assists Isis in her search for Osiris's body.
- Horus
Son of Osiris and Isis; god of silence, often depicted seated on a lotus with a finger to his lips.
- Jupiter
Identified with the Egyptian god Amun (Jupiter Ammon); oracle at Dodona is dedicated to him.
- Ovid
Roman poet; his works are quoted to illustrate the Pythagorean doctrine of metempsychosis.
Key passages
“Souls never die, but always on quitting one abode pass to another. I myself can remember that in the time of the Trojan war I was Euphorbus, the son of Panthus, and fell by the spear of Menelaus.”
The soul is immortal and migrates between bodies; Pythagoras claims to recall being Euphorbus in the Trojan War.
Illustrates the Pythagorean doctrine of metempsychosis as recounted by Ovid.
“The brutish gods of Nile as fast, Isis and Horus and the dog Anubis haste. Nor is Osiris seen In Memphian grove or green Trampling the unshowered grass with lowings loud;”
The Egyptian deities flee at the coming of Christ; Osiris is no longer present in his sacred grove.
Milton's allusion to the Egyptian gods as demons vanquished by the Nativity.