Pherecydes

Pherecydes, born on the island of Syros, was an ancient Greek philosopher and poet of the Archaic period, flourishing around the 6th century BCE. He is primarily known for his philosophical work titled "Heptamychos" or "Theogony," though only fragments and summaries of it survive. Pherecydes is considered one of the earliest Greek thinkers to move away from purely mythological explanations of the cosmos towards more philosophical ones, earning him a place among the pre-Socratic philosophers.

His philosophy is characterized by a cosmogony that introduces a divine craftsman, Chronos (Time), who creates the universe from a primeval seed. He also posits the existence of Zas (Zeus) and the primordial elements, earth and fire. Pherecydes' teachings are notable for their emphasis on the immortality of the soul, a concept that influenced later Greek philosophers like Pythagoras. He is also sometimes credited with being Pythagoras' teacher, though the historical accuracy of this claim is debated among scholars. His writings, though scarce, represent an important step in the development of Western philosophical thought, bridging the gap between myth and rational inquiry.