From the book
Empedocles’ Complete Fragments, Volume I
Empedocles of Acragas · Diotimos Editions · 2026
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At a Glance
- The wordStorgē is affection or love.
- In EmpedoclesB109 closes the sequence of like-known-by-like with love recognized by love and strife by baleful strife.
- In this editionB109 translates storgē as lowercase “love,” while Philotēs is usually capitalized elsewhere.
- A place to readAffection is known by affection in the closing line of the like-by-like formula.
Meaning
Storgē is affection or love. The word can bring a sense of attachment and fondness to the power elsewhere called Philotēs. A related adjective in B87 describes Aphrodite's rivets, rendered “of affection.” The noun in B109 is not capitalized in the printed Greek or English.
Use in the book
B109 closes the sequence of like-known-by-like with love recognized by love and strife by baleful strife. Affection thus participates in the account of cognition rather than appearing only as an emotion among persons. The line does not explain whether this knowing is a separate faculty; it places the two powers alongside earth, water, aither, and fire in a common formula.
B87 supplies a different use of the same attachment-language. Aphrodite works with rivets of affection, making a fastening image carry the binding force of love. The metaphor is especially apt because joining and emotional attachment reinforce one another without requiring a modern psychological mechanism. The introduction groups Storgē among Love's names; the verses substantiate a close relationship, while their varied capitalization and context should remain visible.
Places to read
Translation in this edition
B109 translates storgē as lowercase “love,” while Philotēs is usually capitalized elsewhere. A lexicon can identify the connection without falsely presenting “Storgē” as a fully elaborated separate deity in these lines.