While Pythagoras is famous for his contributions to mathematics, he also developed philosophical ideas about the universe. He believed the Earth was spherical based on these philosophical and observational arguments:
* Observation of the shape of the Earth's shadow on the moon during lunar eclipses: Pythagoras noticed the Earth's shadow was always round, suggesting the Earth itself must be spherical.
* Observation of the disappearance of ships over the horizon: As ships sailed away, they would disappear hull first, indicating a curved surface.
* Philosophical arguments: Pythagoras believed in the perfection of the sphere and thought it was the most fitting shape for the Earth.
However, it's important to note that Aristotle later provided more concrete evidence for the Earth's spherical shape through observations of the constellations and the changing lengths of shadows at different latitudes.
