Hermotimus of Clazomenae

Hermotimus of Clazomenae, a philosopher from Clazomenae, flourished around the 8th or 7th century BCE. He is considered a possibly historic or legendary figure within the Presocratic era. Ancient sources attributed numerous legendary feats to him, most notably the ability for his soul to leave his body and travel. Some traditions even suggested he was a previous reincarnation of Pythagoras. Aristotle credited Hermotimus with certain metaphysical doctrines concerning Nous, concepts usually associated with Anaxagoras. The historicity of Hermotimus is somewhat supported by the tradition, as noted by Pliny the Elder, Lucian, Apollonius of Aphrodisias, and Plutarch, that the people of Clazomenae erected a temple in his honor. Philosophically, Aristotle suggested that Hermotimus proposed that while physical entities are static, it is reason (Nous) that causes change. Sextus Empiricus categorized him alongside philosophers like Hesiod, Parmenides, and Empedocles, who advocated a dualistic theory involving both material and active principles as the origin of the universe. Lucian also referred to him as a Pythagorean.