They falsely represent that Pythagoras of Samos was his instructor in learning, because there appears no other.

PHERECYDES, an ancient Greek philosopher, born in Syros in 6th century B.C.; distinguished as having had Pythagoras among his pupils, and believed to have been the author of many of the doctrines promulgated by his disciple and named Pythagorean.

SAMIAN SAGE, name given to Pythagoras as a native of Samos.

In the Mysteries introduced by Pythagoras into Greece we again find the ineffable name of the Hebrews, obtained doubtless by the Samian Sage during his visit to Babylon.[130] The symbol adopted by him to express it was, however, somewhat different, being ten points distributed in the form of a triangle, each side containing four points, as in the annexed figure. . .

The direction of Pythagoras to his disciples was in these words: "[Greek: Anypo/dêtos thy/e kai pro/skynei];" that is, Offer sacrifice and worship with thy shoes off.