Empedocles was an ancient Greek philosopher, the first to speak about the four elements that make up the world - fire, earth, water and air. He declared air is a substance and that the Earth is spherical. Empedocles even posited a haphazard theory of evolution and natural selection that influenced Darwin's theory; Aristotle regarded him as the father of rhetoric.
He also believed he was god and - as a faithful follower of the Pythagorean religion - he believed in reincarnation. To prove it, he threw himself into Mt. Etna, an active volcano.
Smart guys and holy men can get too complicated. And being too otherworldly can be downright dangerous.
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