La morte di Pitagora e i culti delle Muse e di Demetra. Mousiké ed escatologia nelle comunità pitagoriche di Magna Grecia

This article aims at an analysis of the evidence regarding links between the death of Pythagoras and the cults of the Muses and Demeter (the oldest source is Timaeus, FGrHist 566 F 131), taking into account the eschatological symbolism of music and the Mistery rites, and the function of memory among the Pythagoreans. The evidence in question seems to presuppose notions pertaining to Mysteries and katabasis, that are familiar not only with the cult of Demeter, but also with that of the Muses, and makes reference to the role of women among the Pythagoreans. On the other hand, taking into account the anti-pythagorean riots of the mid-fifth century BC, the cult of Demeter seems to be aimed at defending and strengthening the political role of the Pythagoreans in Croton.