ABSTRACT
Samos is the birthplace of two of ancient Greece’s most prominent philosophers, Pythagoras and Epicurus. Both departed from Samos, however, and left their most enduring philosophical marks elsewhere. There are no ancient sites in Samos directly related to either Pythagoras or Epicurus, but Samos has more recent monuments to Pythagoras. One street back from the water-front of Pythagorio, on tree-lined Plateia Irinis, is an imposing bust of Pythagoras. Poylycrates, who was tyrant when Pythagoras lived in the town later named Pythagorio, built Samos into a great sea power. It was at this time that the Eupalinos tunnel was built, and the temple to Hera and the long walls which protected Pythagorion were constructed. Vathy is the capital of Samos, but it is almost always called Samos Town. Plateia Pythagora, located along the waterfront of Samos Town, is ringed with low walls or benches that have triangular cross sections, reminiscent of the triangle for which Pythagoras is commonly known.
