Pre-Socratic Greek philosophers seem to be popping up everywhere at the moment. This one did while I was watching a documentary about volcanoes on SBS today.
Empedocles was an influential philosopher who lived in Sicily between 490–430 BC. He established the original idea of the four elements - fire, air, water, earth - which became accepted dogma for the next two thousand years. He also proposed powers called Love and Strife which he thought acted as forces to bring about the mixture and separation of the elements. Influenced by the Pythagoreans, he supported the doctrine of reincarnation. Some of his work still survives today.
The myth of Empedocles' death is spectacular and probably accounts for why a recently discovered underwater volcano was named after him. Diogenes Laërtius records that Empedocles died by throwing himself into the active volcano Mount Etna so that people would believe his body had vanished and he had turned into an immortal god. However, the volcano threw back one of his bronze sandals, revealing the deceit. (damn) Another legend has it that he threw himself in the volcano to prove to his disciples that he was immortal; he believed he would come back as a god among men after being devoured by the fire. Now that demonstrates real courage in one’s own convictions.
Located in the Phlegraean Fields of the Strait of Sicily, the volcanic Empedocles complex is composed of what was once believed to be separate volcanic centres. It is situated 40 km off the southern coast of Sicily and is about 500 meters high with a base 30 km long and 25 km wide. The volcano's top is now 7 meters below sea level but it was once visible above the water. Although Wikipedia says that it shows no sign of erupting in the near future, the documentary on SBS indicated that this group of volcanoes is still active and would have to be continually monitered. The documentary also went into the history of the area to explain how in about 400 AD a seaside city had been demolished by what is now thought to have been huge tidal waves caused by underwater eruptions, which apparently could still happen at any moment.
Ferdinandea is a submerged volcanic island that forms part of this newly discovered underwater volcanic complex. Today it is a seamount but history says that in 1831 it erupted and rose above sea level to form an island. It almost caused a major international incident when several countries tried to claim ownership of it. A four-way dispute over its sovereignty began and it was given four different names. Ownership was still unresolved when it hilariously disappeared beneath the waves five months later in early 1832, no doubt leaving everyone like a boxer flailing around at a non-existent opponent.
During its brief life, the French geologist Constant Prévost was on hand, accompanied by an artist, to make an impression of it.
Thanks to Wikipedia & SBS.
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Pre-Socratic Greek philosophers seem to be popping up everywhere at the moment. This one did while I was watching a documentary about volcanoes on SBS today.
