Earth (classical element)
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| - | :''[[sublunary]], [[sphere]]'' | ||
| - | The '''sublunary sphere''' is a concept derived from [[Greek astronomy]]. It is the region of the [[cosmos]] from the [[Earth]] to the [[Moon]], consisting of the four [[classical elements]]: [[Earth (classical element)|earth]], [[Water (classical element)|water]], [[Air (classical element)|air]], and [[Fire (classical element)|fire]]. Beginning with the Moon, up to the limits of the universe, everything is made of [[Aether (classical element)|aether]]. The [[Naked eye planets|planets]] and [[star]]s are located in the region of aether, where everything is permanent, regular, and unchanging. [[Plato]] and [[Aristotle]] helped to formulate the theory of a sublunary sphere in antiquity. [[Thomas Aquinas]] is among those who picked up on the ideas of an existing sublunary sphere, and charted them in his work ''[[Summa Theologica]]''. This idea usually goes hand in hand with [[geocentrism]] and the concept of a [[spherical Earth]]. | + | '''[[Earth]]''', home and origin of humanity, has often been worshipped in its own right with its own unique spiritual tradition. |
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| + | ==Greek and Roman tradition== | ||
| + | ''Earth'' is one of the four [[classical element]]s in ancient [[Greek philosophy]] and science. It was commonly associated with qualities of practicality, restraint and materialism. It was also associated with the physical, sensual aspects of life. | ||
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| + | ''Earth'' was one of many ''archai'' proposed by the Pre-socratics, most of whom tried to reduce all things to a single substance. However, [[Empedocles]] of Acragas (c. 495-c. 435 BCE) selected four ''archai'' for his four roots: [[Air (classical element)|air]], [[Fire (classical element)|fire]], [[Water (classical element)|water]], and earth. Empedocles’ roots became the four classical elements of Greek philosophy. [[Plato]] (427-347 BCE) took over the four elements of Empedocles. In the ''[[Timaeus (dialogue)|Timaeus]]'', his major cosmological dialogue, the [[Platonic solid]] associated with ''earth'' is the [[cube]] which is formed from six square sides. This places ''earth'' between fire (four triangular sides) and air (eight triangular sides). A highly un-spherical solid, these clumsy little cubes cause dirt to crumble and break when picked up, in stark difference to the smooth flow of water or air. | ||
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Earth, home and origin of humanity, has often been worshipped in its own right with its own unique spiritual tradition.
Greek and Roman tradition
Earth is one of the four classical elements in ancient Greek philosophy and science. It was commonly associated with qualities of practicality, restraint and materialism. It was also associated with the physical, sensual aspects of life.
Earth was one of many archai proposed by the Pre-socratics, most of whom tried to reduce all things to a single substance. However, Empedocles of Acragas (c. 495-c. 435 BCE) selected four archai for his four roots: air, fire, water, and earth. Empedocles’ roots became the four classical elements of Greek philosophy. Plato (427-347 BCE) took over the four elements of Empedocles. In the Timaeus, his major cosmological dialogue, the Platonic solid associated with earth is the cube which is formed from six square sides. This places earth between fire (four triangular sides) and air (eight triangular sides). A highly un-spherical solid, these clumsy little cubes cause dirt to crumble and break when picked up, in stark difference to the smooth flow of water or air.
