A common idea in European alchemy in the medieval era was a metaphysical "Homeric chain of wise men that link[ed] heaven and earth" that included ancient pagan philosophers and other important historical figures.
ɐ kˈɑːmən aɪdˈiə ɪn jˌʊɹɹəpˈiən ˈælkəmi ɪnðə mˈɛdɪˌiːvəl ˈiəɹə wʌzɐ mˌɛɾəfˈɪzɪkəl "hoʊmˈɛɹɪk tʃˈeɪn ʌv wˈaɪz mˈɛn ðæt lˈɪŋk ˈɛd hˈɛvən ænd ˈɜːθ" ðæt ɪŋklˈuːdᵻd ˈeɪntʃənt pˈeɪɡən fɪlˈɑːsəfɚz ænd ˈʌðɚɹ ɪmpˈoːɹtənt hɪstˈɔːɹɪkəl fˈɪɡjɚz.