Philosopher and poet Empedocles (492 – 432 BC) – to whom we attribute among other things the first conception of the elemental theory of matter (earth, air, fire, water) – was a Pythagorean, and therefore morally opposed to eating or harming animals. He believed animal sacrifice to be a diabolical injustice, even if done in the service of the gods.
An Ancient Greek Story About Smell and Animal Sacrifice
