Curve 9. The Return of the Pythagoreans; Metabole Politeion and Epistocracy

Nuvolo Ardito Figliuoli and Agnesi Maria Caetana's verbal test this time focused on how members of the Pythagorean Order were reaccepted by the authorities and society. They also discussed a closely related issue: how Aecte and Aecte Arts were later developed by humans.

But after uttering his final words, Nuvolo spoke not to Agnesi, but to a woman in her 20s who was standing beside her. Nuvolo asked the woman, "Miss maid, could you tell me how the Pythagorean Order was reinstated and how it affected the Metabole politeion?"

The maid looked surprised. She stammered, “Uh, Mr. Nuvolo—I could have, but I didn’t, I mean, I could have just answered—I… I remember another maid telling me that Mr. Nuvolo also suddenly asked my friend a question.”

“Hahaha, so the maid told you,” Nuvolo laughed, “I was just kidding, miss maid, just kidding.” Nuvolo then asked, “Does miss maid know what metabole politeion means?”

The maid replied, “Excuse me, Mr. Nuvolo, are you serious? Did you just say you were joking?”

Nuvolo smiled and answered, "If you don't ask, try asking Miss Caetana."

The maid immediately complied with Nuvolo's suggestion, "Yes, Mr. Nuvolo." She turned to Agnesi and asked, "Miss Agnesi—I mean, Miss Caetana, excuse me, as this is an academic conversation. Miss Caetana, would you please explain what metabole is...?"

Without waiting for the maid to pronounce the term correctly, Agnesi immediately answered, “Metabole politeion, this term refers to changes in political and social systems or orders, for example, changes in a state system from an oligarchy to a monarchy or democracy.”

The maid and Nuvolo applauded Agnesi without any prompting. The maid clapped her hands and praised, "Wonderful, wonderful, Miss Agne—Miss Caetana.”

After the maid praised Agnesi, it was Nuvolo's turn to ask, "Correct answer, Miss Agnesi. Now, please explain how the return of the remaining Pythagorean members to their polis, the metabole politeion, and the development of Aecte and Aecte Arts are related."

Agnesi answered without hesitation, “Very well, Mr. Figliuoli. To answer that question, I will briefly touch on the members of the Pythagorean Order who were hunted. The captured members refused to reveal the secrets of Aecte and the Aecte Arts. The hunt for the members of the Pythagorean Order lasted approximately sixty years.”

Nuvolo commented, “Right, about sixty years.”

Agnesi continued her explanation, "On the other hand, the rulers finally realized that simply reading the Pythagorean Order's records would not enable them to master the Aecte Arts. Moreover, the most important parts of the records were written in secret codes. Furthermore, not only the ruling class, but also the general public finally learned the secret of Aecte and the Aecte Arts."

Nuvolo commented, “Yes, that's how it is.”

Agnesi continued her explanation, "In the end, the political elites decided to declare that they accepted the remaining Pythagorean members, and—I think I need to emphasize the word “and” here—the political elites were also willing to accept the terms and wishes of the Pythagorean members.”

Nuvolo said, “The political elites think it’s better to share the cake. Go ahead, Miss Caetana.”

Agnesi continued, "The political elites were willing to reinstate the Pythagoreans, this time on the condition that the existence of Aecte and Aecte Arts was already widely known. Thus, in that era, the metabole politeion emerged. It was an era that could be called an epistocracy or semi-epistocracy."

Nuvolo asked, “What words does that term come from, Miss Caetana?”

Agnesi spontaneously answered, "The term comes from two words, namely, 'episteme,' which means knowledge or science, and 'kratos,' which means power or government."

Nuvolo commented and asked, “Exactly. Then why is it sometimes called a semi-epistocracy?"

Agnesi answered without difficulty, "Because the power structure of that era did involve thinkers or scientists, like the other Pythagoreans. But on the other hand, politics, with all its intrigue, requires a different set of skills from those required to develop science related to Aecte and Aecte Arts."

Nuvolo agreed, “I see, that's how it is.”

Agnesi continued her explanation, "Furthermore, sometimes scientists don't care about politics in general. Sometimes they just want to secure their own interests. Moreover, as the era progresses, there are scientists who are no longer like the Pythagorean Order. They also—I think the term could be used: scientists who don't think about social and communal matters."

Nuvolo commented at length this time, “Okay, I agree with that, Miss Caetana. Well, to be honest, if I can be called a thinker because I’m almost at the level of Mathematikoi, I wouldn’t deny that I don’t think much about social problems and how to solve them. I wouldn’t deny that I avoid politics. I prefer traveling with my fellow explorers, practicing Aecte Arts together.”

Agnesi chose to remain silent as her private tutor spoke at length.

Nuvolo said, “Even if I could become a Magoi of the highest or legendary Mathematikoi level, just like Mrs. Sulis Zeusleben Koepcke and Miss Dorothy Mariama Listamo, I wouldn’t choose to join an organization like the Five of the Deutschtonia Empire. That’s my personal preference.”

Agnesi remained silent, as did the maid beside her.

Nuvolo continued his opinion, "But that doesn't mean I hate scientists who get involved in politics. I strongly support their existence. I think scientists like that are crucial to balance out politicians, to balance out the thoughts and instincts of people who might be demagogues."

Without a word, Agnesi motioned for the maid to pour another Vin Cotto. The maid deftly complied.

Nuvolo continued to express his thoughts, "But that doesn't mean I hate politics and politicians. I consider politics a reality that humans must face, as they cannot live alone, as humans who must live in society. And as a zoon politicon—"

Nuvolo suddenly stopped talking when he saw Agnesi taking a sip of her Vin Cotto. That's when he realized he'd been talking too much. As soon as Agnesi finished her sip and set her glass down on the table, Nuvolo said, "Excuse me, Miss Caetana. It seems I've been talking too much."

Agnesi smiled and replied, “It's okay, Mr. Figliuoli.”

Nuvolo said, “Okay. Earlier we... What was Miss Agnesi talking about last time?”

Agnesi replied, “Lastly I talked about scientists who don't think about social and communal things.”

Nuvolo praised and instructed, “Ah, yes, that’s it. You have a very sharp memory, Miss Agnesi. Now let’s—I mean, let me—stop talking about politics in the present era. Let’s return to Pythagoreanism. Let’s talk about what happened after the members of the Pythagorean Order were reinstated by the rulers and citizens of the polis. Specifically, what happened to the development of Aecte and Aecte Arts after that time.”