Epimenides

Epimenides was a Cretan seer and philosopher who lived in the 6th century BCE. He is famously associated with the Epimenides paradox, also known as the liar paradox. The paradox states: "All Cretans are liars," a statement allegedly made by Epimenides himself. If the statement is true, then Epimenides, being a Cretan, must also be a liar, which would make his statement false. Conversely, if the statement is false, then not all Cretans are liars, meaning there is at least one truthful Cretan. This truthful Cretan could be Epimenides, but if he is truthful, then his statement that all Cretans are liars must be true, leading back to the contradiction.

According to legend, Epimenides performed several miraculous deeds. He is said to have been born in a cave on Mount Ida and to have slept there for 57 years, awakening with the gift of prophecy. He is also credited with purifying Athens after the plague and with performing other acts of prophecy and purification. His writings, though now lost, were said to have dealt with mythology, prophecy, and the purification of cities. Epimenides was highly regarded in ancient Greece, and his influence can be seen in later philosophical and theological thought. He is mentioned in the New Testament, in the Epistle of Titus, where St. Paul quotes Epimenides' assertion about Cretan liars.