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Below is a list of people claimed to be immortal. Please note that this list does not reference purely spiritual entities (spirits, gods, demons, angels), non-humans (monsters, extraterrestrials, elves), or artificial life (artificial intelligence, robots).

Below is a list of people claimed to be immortal. Please note that this list does not reference purely spiritual entities (spirits, gods, demons, angels), non-humans (monsters, extraterrestrials, elves), or artificial life (artificial intelligence, robots).

==Historical, mythological, and religious immortals==

==Historical, mythological, and religious immortals==

This list comprises people claimed to achieve a deathless [[existence]] on [[Earth]]. This list does not contain those people who are supposed to have attained immortality through the typical means of a [[religion]], such as a Christian in Heaven. It also does not include people whose immortality involves living in a place not on [[Earth]], such as [[Heracles]] on [[Mount Olympus]][1] or the Eight Immortals of Taoism in Mount Penglai. It also does not include people who, according to their religion, became deities or actually were a deity the whole time, such as Jesus of Nazareth (who as part of the Trinity was also God) or Parashurama (who was, according to [[Hinduism]], an avatar of Vishnu).

This list comprises people claimed to achieve a deathless [[existence]] on [[Earth]]. This list does not contain those people who are supposed to have attained immortality through the typical means of a [[religion]], such as a Christian in Heaven. It also does not include people whose immortality involves living in a place not on [[Earth]], such as [[Heracles]] on [[Mount Olympus]][1] or the Eight Immortals of Taoism in Mount Penglai. It also does not include people who, according to their religion, became deities or actually were a deity the whole time, such as [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] (who as part of the [[Trinity]] was also God) or Parashurama (who was, according to [[Hinduism]], an avatar of Vishnu).

These lists are in chronological order, though some dates are approximate.

These lists are in chronological order, though some dates are approximate.

==People who claimed to be immortal themselves==

==People who claimed to be immortal themselves==

These people have all verifiably made claims of immortality, or at least lifespans of indefinite reach.

These people have all verifiably made claims of immortality, or at least lifespans of indefinite reach.

* [[Count of St. Germain]] (d. 1784), a mysterious noble and alchemist. In his writings, he claimed to be centuries old along with other fanciful claims. Various occultic and religious organizations have adopted him, with some claiming he is alive today.

* [[Count of St. Germain]] (d. 1784), a [[mysterious]] noble and [[alchemist]]. In his writings, he claimed to be centuries old along with other fanciful claims. Various [[occult]]ic and religious organizations have adopted him, with some claiming he is alive today.

* Leonard "Live-Forever" Jones (1797–1868), an eccentric who ran for President of the United States in every election between the late 1840s and 1860s on a platform of immortality. He believed that [[mortality]] was simply a matter of poor morals, and with prayer anyone could live forever.[2]

* Leonard "Live-Forever" Jones (1797–1868), an eccentric who ran for President of the United States in every election between the late 1840s and 1860s on a platform of immortality. He believed that [[mortality]] was simply a matter of poor morals, and with prayer anyone could live forever.[2]

* Alex Chiu (b. 1971), developer of a "Magnetic Immortality Device." He purports that his magnetic rings, if worn correctly every night, will allow anyone to live forever.[3]

* Alex Chiu (b. 1971), developer of a "Magnetic Immortality Device." He purports that his magnetic rings, if worn correctly every night, will allow anyone to live forever.[3]

==Claimed to be immortal by others==

==Claimed to be immortal by others==

Often the records are too few to determine if these people actually claimed immortality themselves, or even existed. However, significant sources show they are claimed to be immortal by various religions and folk legends.

Often the records are too few to determine if these people actually claimed immortality themselves, or even existed. However, significant sources show they are claimed to be immortal by various [[religion]]s and folk legends.

* [[Melchizedek]] (18th century BC), a priest. According to some translations of Hebrews 7:3: "Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he (Melchizedek) remains a priest forever." Some Christians believe he was a type of early Christ.

* [[Melchizedek]] (18th century BC), a priest. According to some [[translation]]s of [[Hebrews]] 7:3: "Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he (Melchizedek) remains a priest forever." Some Christians believe he was a type of early Christ.

* Tithonus, who in Greek mythology was granted eternal life but not eternal youth.

* Tithonus, who in [[Greek]] [[mythology]] was granted [[eternal]] life but not eternal youth.

* Several men and women whom the ancient Greeks considered historical figures, like Menelaus, Helen, Achilles, Memnon and Peleus, achieved physical immortality through the intervention of the gods.[4]

* Several men and women whom the ancient Greeks considered historical figures, like [[Menelaus]], [[Helen]], [[Achilles]], Memnon and Peleus, achieved physical immortality through the intervention of the gods.[4]

* The Wandering Jew (b. 1st century BC), a Jewish shoemaker. According to legend, he taunted Jesus on his way to crucifixion. Jesus cursed him to "go on forever till I return." Thus, the Wandering Jew is to live until the second coming of Jesus.[5]

* The Wandering Jew (b. 1st century BC), a Jewish shoemaker. According to legend, he taunted [[Jesus]] on his way to crucifixion. Jesus cursed him to "go on forever till I return." Thus, the Wandering Jew is to live until the [[second coming]] of Jesus.[5]

* [[John the Apostle]] (AD 6-101), one of Jesus's followers. Some Mormons, in conjunction with their own scriptures, interpret the biblical scripture found at John 21:21-23 to mean that John will tarry or remain on the earth until the Second Coming.[6]

* [[John the Apostle]] (AD 6-101), one of Jesus's followers. Some Mormons, in conjunction with their own [[scripture]]s, interpret the biblical scripture found at John 21:21-23 to mean that John will tarry or remain on the [[earth]] until the [[Second Coming]].[6]

* The Three Nephites (between AD 34 and 35), three men described in the Book of Mormon who are given power over death in order to fulfill their desire to minister among men until Jesus comes again.[7]

* The Three Nephites (between AD 34 and 35), three men described in the [[Book of Mormon]] who are given power over death in order to fulfill their desire to minister among men until [[Jesus]] comes again.[7]

* Sir Galahad (dates for his life fall between the 2nd century and the 6th century), one of the three Arthurian knights to find the Holy Grail. Of them, Galahad is the only one to have achieved immortality by it.

* [[Sir Galahad]] (dates for his life fall between the 2nd century and the 6th century), one of the three Arthurian knights to find the [[Holy Grail]]. Of them, Galahad is the only one to have achieved immortality by it.

* [[Merlin]] (dates for his life fall between the 2nd century and the 6th century); in some accounts, Merlin is trapped by an enchantment by Nimue, and while some end with Merlin dying, in others he remains in the trap (variously a tomb, a cave, or mist) indefinitely.

* [[Merlin]] (dates for his life fall between the 2nd century and the 6th century); in some accounts, Merlin is trapped by an enchantment by Nimue, and while some end with Merlin dying, in others he remains in the trap (variously a tomb, a cave, or mist) indefinitely.

* Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel (15th century AD), alchemists who were reputed in later manuscripts to have acquired immortality through the use of the Philosopher's stone.

* Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel (15th century AD), alchemists who were reputed in later manuscripts to have acquired immortality through the use of the [[Philosopher's stone]].

 

==Notable failed quests for immortality==

==Notable failed quests for immortality==

* [[Gilgamesh]] (possibly reigned during the 26th century BC) after the death of his companion, Enkidu, Gilgamesh pursues immortality to avoid Enkidu's fate. Gilgamesh fails two tests and does not become immortal, realising instead that mortals attain immortality through lasting works of civilization and culture. Appropriately, Gilgamesh's story is considered the oldest story recorded.

* [[Gilgamesh]] (possibly reigned during the 26th century BC) after the death of his companion, Enkidu, Gilgamesh pursues immortality to avoid Enkidu's fate. Gilgamesh fails two tests and does not become immortal, realising instead that mortals attain immortality through lasting works of civilization and culture. Appropriately, Gilgamesh's story is considered the oldest story recorded.

# While Mount Olympus actually exists, the Greeks understood a distinction between the Olympus of the Gods and the part that could be seen by humans.

# While Mount Olympus actually exists, the Greeks understood a distinction between the Olympus of the Gods and the part that could be seen by humans.

# http://www.weirduniverse.net/blog/categories/C6

# https://www.weirduniverse.net/blog/categories/C6

# http://www.alexchiu.com/eternallife/look.htm

# https://www.alexchiu.com/eternallife/look.htm

# Dag Øistein Endsjø. Greek Resurrection Beliefs and the Success of Christianity. New York: Palgrave Macmillan 2009.

# Dag Øistein Endsjø. Greek Resurrection Beliefs and the Success of Christianity. New York: Palgrave Macmillan 2009.

# http://ebooks.unibuc.ro/filologie/hebra/2-5.htm

# https://ebooks.unibuc.ro/filologie/hebra/2-5.htm

# The Immortal by JJ Dewey

# The Immortal by JJ Dewey

# 3 Nephi 28

# 3 Nephi 28