The History of Western Esotericism

In the 6th century BCE, Rome was a minor regional power among many minor Italian regional powers. A number of philosophers flourished in southern Italy which left an indelible mark on the history of Western esotericism. The Great Pythagoras did some amazing stuff but we can't tell exactly what he did. Later on, when the Romans had become highly literate, they would come to call this region of Italy Magna Gragia,. or the big Greek territory.