Alchimia

Alchimia, or alchemy, is an ancient philosophical and proto-scientific practice aimed at transforming base materials into noble ones, like turning lead into gold. It originated in Greco-Roman and medieval cultures, combining elements of chemistry, mysticism, and spirituality. Alchemists sought the "philosopher's stone," a substance believed to grant immortality and the ability to transmute metals. Beyond material goals, alchemy represented a quest for personal and spiritual transformation, seeking to understand the nature of reality and the self. Although largely discredited as a science, alchemy laid groundwork for modern chemistry and has influenced art and literature throughout history.