He Was A Teacher

Pythagoras had a school.
He was a good teacher who had valuable teachings.
Not all of his students loved him.
He not only made all of his newer students sit down, shut up, and pay attention, but he made them do it even if they were rich, famous, and powerful. The rule was to be silent and attend no matter who you were.
He didn't promote any one until they had actually learned.
He had almost as many female students as he had male students.
He may be the all time most influential western lovers of wisdom of all time.

He lived and taught between the years 580 BC and 490 BC. He was born on the Greek island of Samos. His father was a Phoenician merchant from Tyre.

Pythagoras accepted advice and was wise enough to accept it from Thales. He was a life long student as are all worthy teachers. I think that some of his early studies were in Memphis, Egypt and in Tyre and Byblos.

Lovers of wisdom active during the lifetime of Pythagoras who were probably familiar with his teachings included Heraclitus and Democritus as well as Thales.