The Secret Society of the Pythagoreans

The surviving Pythagoreans, we are told, in fear less to the wisdom of Pythagoras be extinguished altogether by the anti-Pythagorean persecution, go underground. In effect, they become a secret initiatory conspiracy devoted to keeping the flame of true philosophy alive and awaiting the time when they may re-emerge into the light of day. I think we have here the earliest reference in the Western tradition to a secret brotherhood of initiates intentionally disappearing and walking among us. Students of later esoteric currents will be thinking here of the rosocrusions or perhaps the perfect masters of the Theosophical Society. This is a theme with a very long life.