immortals

Immortals is a term used across cultures to denote beings or concepts that do not die, or people believed to live forever. Broadly, immortality can refer to physical immortality (eternal life), philosophical or theistic immortality (endless existence of the soul or consciousness), or the practical idea of negligible aging.

Mythology and religion: In ancient Greek myth, the gods of Olympus are immortal; in Taoist folklore, the Eight Immortals are legendary figures who transcend mortal limits. The Achaemenid Persian Immortals were an elite royal guard of 10,000 soldiers who reputedly retained their number by replacing fallen members each day.

Biology and science: Some organisms exhibit negligible senescence and extremely long lifespans, and researchers study aging and potential pathways to extend life, though true immortality remains hypothetical. Advances in genetics, regenerative medicine, and biogerontology address questions about extending healthy life, not guaranteed eternal life.

In fiction and popular culture: Immortality is a common motif in literature, film, and games, ranging from vampires and phoenixes to advanced technologies that halt aging or restore youth. It often raises questions about identity, memory, meaning, and the consequences of a life without end.

See also: The concept intersects with philosophy, theology, medicine, and ethics, and different traditions imagine immortality in different ways, from a perpetual physical state to a continued spiritual existence or an extended, but finite, human life.