The Death of Empedocles

The death of Empedocles remains historically uncertain and surrounded by legend. Some stories suggest he threw himself into Mount Etna’s volcanic crater to demonstrate his divine nature and escape mortality, believing he was a god. Others think he might have died accidentally or was killed by enemies. These tales reflect his reputation as a mystical philosopher who sought to merge science and spirituality, but concrete evidence about how he died is lacking. The story symbolizes his desire for spiritual transcendence and the tragic, enigmatic nature of his life.