Editing Pythagoras (section)

== Legends ==
Within his own lifetime, Pythagoras was already the subject of elaborate [[hagiography|hagiographic]] legends.{{sfnp|Kahn|2001|page=5}}{{sfnp|Riedweg|2005|page=1}} Aristotle described Pythagoras as a [[wonder-worker]] and somewhat of a supernatural figure.{{sfnp|Riedweg|2005|page=2}}{{sfnp|Gregory|2015|pages=30–31}} In a fragment, Aristotle writes that Pythagoras had a golden thigh,{{sfnp|Riedweg|2005|page=2}}{{sfnp|Gregory|2015|page=30}}{{sfnp|Kenny|2004|page=11}} which he publicly exhibited at the [[Ancient Olympic Games|Olympic Games]]{{sfnp|Riedweg|2005|page=2}} and showed to [[Abaris the Hyperborean]] as proof of his identity as the "Hyperborean Apollo".{{sfnp|Riedweg|2005|page=2}}<ref>{{harvp|Porphyry, Vit. Pyth|loc=§20}}; {{harvp|Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth|loc=§31, §140}}; Aelian, ''Varia Historia'', ii. 26;  {{harvp|Diog VIII|loc=§1.36}}</ref> Supposedly, the priest of Apollo gave Pythagoras a magic arrow, which he used to fly over long distances and perform ritual purifications.{{sfnp|McKeown|2013|page=155}} He was supposedly once seen at both Metapontum and Croton [[bilocation|at the same time]].<ref>Comp. Herodian, iv. 94, etc.</ref>{{sfnp|Kahn|2001|page=5}}{{sfnp|Gregory|2015|page=30}}{{sfnp|Kenny|2004|page=11}} When Pythagoras crossed the river Kosas (the modern-day [[Basento]]), "several witnesses" reported that they heard it greet him by name.{{sfnp|Burkert|1972|page=144}}{{sfnp|Gregory|2015|page=30}} In Roman times, a legend claimed that Pythagoras was the son of Apollo.{{sfnp|Kenny|2004|page=11}}

Pythagoras was said to have dressed all in white.{{sfnp|Riedweg|2005|page=2}}{{sfnp|Joost-Gaugier|2006|page=47}} He is also said to have borne a golden [[wreath]] atop his head{{sfnp|Riedweg|2005|page=2}} and to have worn [[trousers]] after the fashion of the [[Thrace|Thracians]].{{sfnp|Riedweg|2005|page=2}} Pythagoras was said to have had extraordinary success in dealing with animals.{{sfnp|Kahn|2001|page=5}}{{sfnp|Cornelli|McKirahan|2013|page=160}} A fragment from Aristotle records that, when a deadly snake bit Pythagoras, he bit it back and killed it.{{sfnp|McKeown|2013|page=155}}{{sfnp|Gregory|2015|page=30}} Both Porphyry and Iamblichus report that Pythagoras once persuaded a bull not to eat fava beans{{sfnp|Kahn|2001|page=5}}{{sfnp|Cornelli|McKirahan|2013|page=160}} and that he once convinced a notoriously destructive bear to swear that it would never harm a living thing again, and that the bear kept its word.{{sfnp|Kahn|2001|page=5}}{{sfnp|Cornelli|McKirahan|2013|page=160}} Riedweg suggests that Pythagoras may have personally encouraged these legends,{{sfnp|Riedweg|2005|page=1}} but Gregory states that there is no direct evidence of this.{{sfnp|Gregory|2015|page=31}}