Pherecydes of Syros - Pentemychos or Heptamychos

Pentemychos or Heptamychos

Pherecydes' book is in some sources said to have been titled "Pentemychos" translated as five (πέντε) "recesses" or alternatively, "the five sanctuaries", in some sources said to have been titled "Heptamycho" translated as "seven (ἑπτά) recesses". There seems to be no complete agreement among scholars on which sources to trust regarding the title of Pherecydes' book, the standard survey reference on the Presocratic philosophers by Kirk, Raven and Schofield, opts for "Heptamychos". The author of the only modern scholarly book devoted entirely to Pherecydes, Hermann S. Schibli, argues that "Pentemychos" was the true title. In this work, Pherecydes taught his philosophy through the medium of mythic representations. Although it is lost, the fragments that survive are enough to reconstruct a basic outline.