Ancient Philosophy

Women Philosophers in Ancient Greece and Rome

Who were some female Pythagoreans?

Pythagoras’ wife, Theano of Crotona (Italy, c. 546 B.C.E.), and their three daughters were members of Pythagoras’ first group of followers. Theano was said to have discussed metaphysics and written about marriage, sex, women, and ethics. After Pythagoras died, Theano and her three sons succeeded him as leaders of the Pythagorean school. Theano II (her birth and death dates are uncertain except that she was not Theano I), a later Pythagorean, addressed moral contexualism, or the theory that what is right to do should take particular circumstances into account. She also believed that harmonia (harmony) is, or should be, the foundation of morality and education. Some historians believe that Perictione I (late fourth to third centuries B.C.E.), another Pythagorean, said to have written On the Harmony of Women, was Plato’s mother.

