Conclusion

In antiquity, Pythagoras was not the start or end point of vegetarianism.  However, the breadth of his influence makes him a worthy individual to study when considering vegetarianism during this time period.  Originally rooted in spirituality, vegetarianism in Greek antiquity has transformed into something logical, social, and even ethical.  By studying the philosophies that derived from Pythagoras's, we are able to see the foundations of arguments that contemporary vegetarians use to justify their diets, connecting Pythagoras and other philosophers to modern age in yet another way.  Exploring this diet in antiquity allows us to have a multifaceted understanding of not only ancient Greek culture and thought, but also of our own society's culture and thought.