Previously unknown verses by Empedocles found on papyrus
75 points by danielam
by amelung
3 subcomments
I think the image shown at the top right is the entire text that was discovered: because if you count all the lines (including even the ones where no mortal can see actual letters), you get 30. I admire the experts who can make sense out of it. Words are not separated by blanks. The first line in the second column may start with «ΚΑΙΤΟΙ ΠΩ…» ‹and yet wh…›. Below that perhaps «Η ΜΕΙΖΟΝ …» ‹or greater›. Further below even I can read clearly a «ΦΑΙΝΕΤΑΙ» ‹he / she / it appears›. Even further down I read «ΚΑΙ ΔΙΑ ΤΟΥΤΟΥ» ‹and through / per / via this›.
by sapphicsnail
0 subcomment
Empedocles wrote in verse. Greek scientific writings used to be written entirely in verse instead of prose. He wrote in Latin, but a cool example of something like this that survived is Lucretius' On the Nature of things (De Rerum Natura).
by aap_
6 subcomments
So is there any way to actually read it? Or do i have to buy an obscure french book? can you even buy the book?
Academic publishing/gatekeeping is such a joke.
by Izikiel43
0 subcomment
Fun fact about Empedocles, in Argentinian Spanish slang it means the one who is always drunk
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