in Acragas (modern day Agrigento) on the southwestern coast of Sicily to a wealthy aristocratic family. “To whatever famous town I go, I am praised by men and women, accompanied by thousands, who thirst for deliverance, some asking for prophecies, and some to be cured by all kinds of diseases.” Early LifeĮmpedocles was born in the 5th century B.C. He dressed flamboyantly and went from town to town performing his healing arts as well as miracles. 1 Through sorcery and magic arts, he claimed the power to control winds and storms, to reverse aging, and to ward off evil. “I am among you as an immortal god, no longer mortal, honored by you all, wreathed in garlands and crowns.”Īs a physician, he earned this reputation by performing some noteworthy feats such as saving the Sicilian town of Selinus from a plague. Of the various qualities attributed to Empedocles, humility was not one of them.
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