Modern chemistry has its roots in alchemy. In Europe, alchemy was closely related to Christianity. By the fourth century, Rome had become Christian. Around this time, some Christian mystics believed they could make a substance that would turn base metals into gold. This magical substance was called the
philosopher’s stone. The stone killed base metals and resurrected them into gold just like Jesus was killed and resurrected.
The philosopher’s stone was seen as a medicine for sick metals, but it was also a medicine for sick people. The philosopher’s stone was believed to cure any disease and grant eternal life.
Zosimos of Panopolis is considered the father of alchemy. He lived in Roman Egypt around 300 AD but, like many scholars of the time, wrote in Greek. His writings are some of the oldest texts on alchemy. They are a mixture of religion and science. In them, he describes how angels came to earth and fell in love with women. The angels taught the women the works of nature. The women named this knowledge chema. Today, we call it chemistry.
Around this same time, alchemy was also developing in Persia, China, and many other places around the world. During the seventh century, Arabs conquered Egypt. Islamic alchemists coined the terms alchemy, alcohol, elixir, and many others.
Alchemy continued as the primary pursuit of scientists for almost one thousand years. While the philosopher’s stone was never discovered, alchemists were the first chemists. In their work, they discovered five elements: arsenic, antimony, bismuth, phosphorus, and zinc. Many famous scientists from history, including Sir Isaac Newton, were also alchemists.
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