Life Bolus of Mendes (Βῶλος ὁ Μενδήσιος) was a Hellenistic writer active in the 3rd century BCE from the Egyptian city of Mendes [1]. While biographical details are scarce, his significance lies in his literary output and his association with the pseudepigraphical tradition surrounding the mythical sage Democritus of Abdera [1][2].

Works Bolus authored treatises on natural philosophy and occult properties. Key works attributed to him include On Sympathies and Antipathies and Physical and Mystical Matters (Τὰ φυσικὰ καὶ μυστικά), which explored the hidden properties of natural substances [1][2]. These texts do not survive intact but are known through fragments. He is also frequently identified as the author of alchemical works later ascribed to Democritus [1][2].

Significance Bolus is a pivotal figure for bridging Greek philosophy with Egyptian and Near Eastern traditions of magic and alchemy [1][2]. His doctrine of cosmic "sympathies" became foundational for later magical, astrological, and alchemical theory. His primary impact stems from the pseudepigraphical attribution of his works to Democritus, creating the influential figure of "Pseudo-Democritus," whose texts were central to the early alchemical tradition [1][2].

Sources 1. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Plato.stanford.edu): https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/democritus/#DemMagAlc 2. Encyclopædia Britannica (Britannica.com): https://www.britannica.com/biography/Democritus#ref257602