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The Death of Empedocles
By Patrick Salway


There are several myths about the death of Empedocles, the pre-Socratic Greek philosopher who Aristotle credits with defining the four elements of fire, air, water, and earth. Heraclides says Empedocles was considered divine during his lifetime for performing the Christ-like miracle of resurrecting a dead woman. As the legend goes, he never experienced a mortal death, but rather his entire body was taken up to heaven. Other writers in the ancient world were not so generous. In Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, Diogenes Laërtius cites various sources who say Empedocles threw himself into a volcano in an attempt to prove his godhood. However, the volcano spit out one of his sandals, exposing his fraudulent claim to immortality. Perhaps the most interesting account of Empedocles’ death comes from the second-century satirist Lucien of Samosa, who says the philosopher leaped into the fires of Mt. Etna and was carried to the heavens by a volcanic eruption that delivered him to the moon, where he survived by feeding on dew. As with other myths surrounding great thinkers and spiritual leaders of the ancient world, Empedocles’ death legend is best viewed as an allegory for his theories about life, reincarnation, and the immortality of the soul. Today, we can still derive meaning—even inspiration—from the story of his bizarre suicide. 
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  • HOME
  • ABOUT PRS
    • Manly P. Hall >
      • Manly Hall, A Personal Perspective
    • PRS Board & Staff
    • Contributing Artists >
      • Guy Blakeslee
      • John Bucher
      • Sandra del Castillo
      • Devon Deimler
      • Edgar Fabian Frias
      • Mandy Kahn
      • Marina Pacowski
      • Stephen Reedy
      • Fahad Siadat
      • Eliza Swann
    • Press
    • Job Opportunities
  • COURSES
  • EVENTS
    • Past Events
  • EXHIBITIONS
    • Hansell Gallery
  • Library
  • PRS Journal
    • Past Issues >
      • India
      • Winter Festivals
      • Water
      • The Veil
      • Harvest
      • Fire
      • Moon
      • Solar
      • Rebirth
    • Journal Subscribers >
      • Current Issue
      • Past Issues >
        • February - Saturn
        • January - India
        • December - Winter Festivals
        • November - Water
        • October - The Veil
        • September-Harvest
        • August - Fire
        • July - Moon
        • June - Solar
        • May - Rebirth
    • Journal Submissions
  • PRS ONLINE
    • New Videos
    • Speakers
    • Series
    • Subjects
    • Podcasts
    • Videos On Demand
  • Shop
    • New Arrivals
    • Best Sellers
    • PRS Merch
    • Books by Manly P. Hall >
      • The Secret Teachings
      • The Signature Editions
      • New Editions for Contemporary Seekers
      • Vintage Lecture Notes
      • MPH Essays
      • MPH Book SALE
      • Manly P. Hall Book Bundles
    • MPH Audio >
      • MPH Collection at BetterListen.com
    • MPH E-Books
    • Reprint Series curated by MPH
    • Books and Catalogs >
      • Dr. Obadiah Harris
    • Gifts & Curiosities >
      • Gift Cards
    • Tote Bags
    • Rare and Used Books
    • Symbolic Prints and Posters
    • Tarot, Oracle, and Affirmation Decks
    • Works of Art
    • Curbside Pickup
    • Shipping Update
  • Support
    • Volunteer
    • Roof Restoration Fundraiser
  • Rentals