Historical Ideas about the Nature of Matter -- GW

Empedocles

492 BCE

Empedocles discovered the four-element theory of matter: fire, air, water and earth. He believed that everything was made up of small amounts of these elements.
Empedocles was thought of as a physicist, magician, a mystical theologian, a healer, a democratic politician, a living god, and a fraud.

Democritus

460 BCE

Democritus believed that atoms were impenetrable and indestructible- they have a density proportionate to their volume.
Democritus was sometimes referred to as the 'laughing philosopher' since he never appeared before an audience without expressing his disdain of human foolishness while laughing. He was often considered as more than mortal.

Aristotle

384 BCE

Aristotle strongly disagreed with the atomic theory developed by Democritus. Instead of matter being composed of small particles (atoms), he believed that everything was made up of the four elements, fire, air, water and earth. During the middle ages, Roman Catholic theologians were greatly influenced by Aristotle's theory. This caused atomic theories to be rejected for centuries.
Aristotle was also Alexander the Great's tutor.

Alchemists of the 1600s-1700s

1600

A few hundred years after the death of Aristotle, alchemists began studying the atomic theory. They used Aristotle's ideas and started doing experiments. Their goal was to change the structure of common items such as ore, and turn them into gold.
Although they never could fulfill their goals, they created a scientific process that contributed to the discovery of the atom.
Much of the equipment used in chemistry today was invented by the alchemists.