Roman copy of a bust of Aristotle, circa 384-322 BC

Aristotle believed that the Earth was at the center of the universe, and was only made up of four hierarchical elements: earth, water, air, and fire. He also thought other celestial objects such as the sun, moon, and stars were made up of a superior fifth element (ether). Aristotle's conception of the universe lasted for almost 2000 years, until Copernicus's heliocentric theory began to affect the scientific world.

---

image © Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna http://www.khm.at/

Bouras, Charalambos, Michael B. Sakellarion, Konstantinos S. Staikes, and Evi Touloups, eds.
Classical Period to Present day (5th Century BC - AD 2000).
Kotinos: Oak Knoll Press, 2003, pg 132
call number: NA 1100.A845

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.
"Aristotle," available from
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/people/ancient_epoch/aristotle.html&edu=high;
Internet; accessed 10 November 2004

back