Within this framework, Empedokle ̄s aimed to be as encyclopedic as possible. Both
the fragments and doxography include passages on physics/cosmology, botany, zoology,
physiology, reproduction and sense-perception. Also attested is a critique of Greek religion
and ritual, especially animal sacrifice, based on Empedokle ̄s’ Pythagorean belief in
reincarnation.
The over-all unity of Empedokle ̄s’ thought remains perplexing, although, since both
reincarnation and physics appear in a single passage, it can no longer be denied. The
problem is whether or not Empedoklean physics and reincarnation can be accommodated
in the same system. At a minimum, many difficulties can be avoided if Empedokle ̄s’ trans-
migrating soul is not anachronistically identified with P’s immortal soul.
Ed.: DK 31; M.R. Wright, Empedocles (1981); A. Martin and O. Primavesi, L’Empédocle de Strasbourg,
P. Strasb. Gr. 1665– 1666 (1999); B. Inwood, The Poem of Empedocles, 2nd ed. (2001).
D. O’Brien, Empedocles’ Cosmic Cycle (1969); P. Kingsley, Ancient Philosophy, Mystery and Magic (1995); DPA 3
(2000) 66–88, R. Goulet; Simon Trépanier, Empedocles, an Interpretation (2004); NDSB 2.395–398, Idem.
Simon Trépanier
Q. Ennius of Rudiae (ca 205 – 169 BCE)
Latin poet, born 239 BCE in Rudiae (near Lecce), had a Greek cultural formation. In 204 he
came from Sardinia to Rome with C, where he taught Greek. A member of Scipio’s
retinue, he obtained Roman citizenship in 184. Only fragments of his diverse works survive.
Ennius wrote tragedies (Andromache, Medea, Telamon, inspired by Greek models), poems, com-
edies, and saturae. In the Euhemerus, Ennius expounded the successive reigns of Sky, Saturn,
and Jupiter, stressing particularly, in agreement with Euhe ̄me ̄ros’ theories, their human
characteristics. In the Epicharmus, Ennius identified gods with primordial elements, whence
the kosmos arose (cf. E). In the epic Annales, he celebrated Roman history from
her origins to his own time. The Pythagorean theory of metempsychosis is suggested in
Ennius’ claim to be H’s reincarnation.
Ennius © Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier
Q. ENNIUS OF RUDIAE