Milon the Philosopher was a Pythagorean thinker who lived during the Roman Imperial period, between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE. Almost no details of his personal life or origins are known. He is identified solely as the author of a single surviving work.
His only known writing is a treatise titled On the Pythagorean Way of Life. This work provides a biography of the ancient sage Pythagoras and describes the lifestyle, practices, and teachings associated with his followers. According to modern scholars, the text is a valuable example of Neopythagorean literature, which aimed to define and promote the Pythagorean tradition centuries after its founding.
Milon’s historical importance rests entirely on this one work. It serves as a source for understanding how Pythagoras was idealized and how his philosophical and religious movement was perceived during the Roman Empire. While the author himself remains a shadowy figure, his writing contributes to the history of later Pythagorean thought. The name "Milon" was more famously borne by an ancient athlete, and some sources may confuse the two, but this later Milon is distinguished by his philosophical treatise.
Available Works
Sources
- Stanford Encyclopedia Entry (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) Accessed: 2026-01-26
- Perseus Entry (Perseus Digital Library) Accessed: 2026-01-26