Pythagoras and His Unusual Hatred of Beans
We all recognize Pythagoras primarily for the headaches he caused us in school with his famous theorem about right triangles. You know the one: “In every right triangle, the sum of the squares of the legs is equal to the square of the hypotenuse.” Thanks to this, the renowned Greek mathematician has remained in our collective memory. However, beyond his mathematical brilliance, Pythagoras lived in a world that blended science, mysticism, and unusual beliefs.
The Eccentricity of Pythagoras
In addition to being a great mathematician, Pythagoras was also quite an eccentric figure. He founded the Pythagorean School, which functioned as a mix of a scientific academy, religious cult, and esoteric society. This school was based on several core principles, including:
– The body is the tomb of the soul and requires constant purification.
– Numbers are the fundamental components of the universe.
– Women are equal in dignity and rights to men.
– Bees were seen as evil, considered a curse upon the universe.
His disciples gathered to discuss mathematics, and many significant mathematicians emerged from his school—including several women. However, the discussions extended beyond numbers; they also delved into reincarnation and the supposed malevolent nature of beans.
The Strange Belief About Beans
Pythagoras promised his followers that he could travel to Hades, the Greek underworld, and return to share his experiences. To “prove” this, he locked himself in his mother’s basement for days without eating. When he re-emerged—emaciated and weak—he began recounting mystical revelations and seemed to know what had happened in his absence. This only reinforced his followers’ unwavering faith in him.
One of his most peculiar beliefs centered around beans. He claimed they were connected to Hades, the god of the dead. The black spots on their flowers and the hollow stems of the plants were thought to serve as pathways for souls traveling between worlds. Since beans were one of the first crops to sprout in spring, they were seen as an offering from the dead to the living.
The idea that souls of the dead escaped underground in gaseous form and were absorbed by bean plants gained traction among his followers. Eating beans, therefore, was akin to consuming spirits. Even the Roman writer Pliny the Elder later noted: “Beans are used in the cult of the dead because they contain the souls of the deceased.”
Pythagoras' Aversion to Politics—and Beans
Interestingly, beans were used in voting in ancient Greece—white beans signified “yes,” and black beans meant “no.” Some believe that Pythagoras’ aversion to beans was actually a metaphor: he wanted to discourage his followers from engaging in politics, as he believed it was incompatible with philosophy.
His distaste for beans was so extreme that he banned their consumption among his followers. It is even said that he possessed the ability to communicate with animals and once convinced an ox not to eat beans!
The Medical and Historical Perspective
Today, we know that beans can cause health issues for some individuals. A genetic condition called favism, caused by a deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), leads to a severe reaction when beans are consumed. Symptoms include red blood cell destruction (hemolytic anemia), jaundice, fever, and even death.
Ancient Egyptians also viewed beans with suspicion. Their national dish, medames (buried beans), was a staple for slaves, but Egyptian priests considered beans impure and refused to even look at them.
Scientific studies have revealed another fascinating aspect: beans contain compounds similar to quinine, which is used to treat malaria. Researchers discovered a correlation between bean consumption and lower malaria rates, suggesting that eating beans could create a hostile environment for the disease.
Pythagoras’ Fate—Choosing Death Over Beans
Perhaps the most famous legend about Pythagoras’ bean phobia involves his tragic demise. During a period of political persecution, Pythagoras was fleeing from his enemies. His only escape route was through a field of beans. But, instead of crossing it, he reportedly chose death over stepping into the “cursed” field. He was captured and executed, having refused to defile himself with the dreaded legumes.
Whether his aversion was based on mysticism, health concerns, or political symbolism, Pythagoras’ fear of beans remains one of the most bizarre quirks of any historical figure.
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Originally published at [La
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