In this respect we further learn from Origen, that circumcision was compulsory, and one of the necessary conditions of initiation to a knowledge of the hieroglyphics and sciences of the Egyptians and it is obvious that Democritus, in order to obtain such knowledge must have submitted also to that rite

0rigen, who was a native of Egypt wrote as follows:-
Apud Aegyptios nullus aut geometrica studebat, aut astronomiae secreta remabatur, nisi circumncisione suscepta." Meaning no one among the Egyptians, either studied geometry, or investigated the secrets of astronomy, unless circumcision had been undertaken.

Left extract from the Coins Of Delphos, Father Of The Great Delphic Oracle. Concerning the fact that Egypt was the greatest education centre of the ancient -world which was also visited by the Greeks, reference must again be made to Plato in the Timaeus who tells us that Greek aspirants to wisdom visited Egypt for initiation, and that the priests of Sais used to refer to them as children in the Mysteries. As regards the visit of Greek students to Egypt for the purpose of their education. The following are mentioned simply to establish the fact that Egypt was regarded as the educational centre of the ancient world and that like the Jews, Grews and the Greeks also visited Egypt and received their education.

(1) It is said that during the reign of Amasis, Thales who is said to have been born about 58? B. C, visited Egypt and was initiated by the Egyptian Priests into the Mystery System and science of the Egyptians, We are also told that during his residence in Egypt, he learnt astronomy, land surveying, mensuration, engineering and Egyptian Theology. Thales in Blackwell's source book of Philosophy; Zeller's Hist. of Phil.; Diogenes Laertius and Kendrick's Ancient Egypt).

(2) It 'is said that Pythagoras, a native of Samos, travelled frequently to Egypt for the purpose of his education. Like every aspirant, he had to secure the consent and favour of the Priests, and we are informed by Diogenes that a friendship existed between Polycrates of Samos and Amasis King of Egypt, that Polycrates gave Pythagoras letters of introduction to the King, who secured for him an introduction to the Priests; first to the Priest of Heliopolis, then to the Priest of Memphis, and lastly to the Priests of Thebes, to each of whom Pythagoras gave a silver goblet. (Herodotus Bk. lll 124; Diogenes VIII 3; Pliny N. H., 36, 9; Antipho recorded by Porphyry).

We are also further informed through Herodotus, Jablonsk and Pliny, that after severe trials, including circumcision, had been imposed upon him by the Egyptian Priests, he was finally initiated into all their secrets. That he learnt the doctrine of metempsychosis; of which there was no trace before in the Greek religion; that his knowledge of medicine and strict
system of dietetic rules, distinguished him as a product of Egypt, where medicine had attained its highest perfection; and that his attainments in geometry corresponded with the ascertained fact that Egypt was the birth place of that Science.

In addition we have the statements of Plutarch, Demetrius and Antisthenes that Pythagoras founded the Science of Mathematics among the Greeks, and that he sacrificed to the Muses, when the Priests explained to him the properties of the right angled triangle. (Philarch de Repugn. Stoic 2 p. 1089; Demeilius; Antisthenes; Cicero de Natura Deorum III, 36). Pythagoras was also trained in music by the Egyptian priests. (Kendricik's Hist. of Ancient Egypt vol. 1. p. 234). Bottom left extract from a Greek copy of the coins of Delphos, father of the great Delphic Oracle.

(3) According to Diogenes Laertius and Herodotus, Democritus is said to have been born about 400 B. C. and to have been a native of Abdera in Miletus. We are also told by Demetrius in his treatise on "People of the Same Name", and by Antisthenes in his treatise on "Succession", that Democritus travelled to Egypt for the purpose of his education and received the instruction of the Priests. We also learn from Diogenes and Herodotus that he spent five years under the instruction of the Egyptian Priests and that after the completion of his education, he wrote a treatise on the sacred characters of Meroe.

Home Introduction ± Previous ± 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ± Next ± Summary ± 1 ± 2 ± 3 ±