ÉLÉMENTS ET ZONES DU MONDE D'HOMÈRE À EMPÉDOCLE

Abstract

This paper challenges the possible connection in Early Greek thinking between cosmic areas and elements. I criticize the idea that the universe was originally divided into four great areas and that Empedocles' only innovation was to match this preexisting division with his elementary theory. I will demonstrate that although Empedocles was indeed the first to match the cosmic and elementary levels, his work is the first to mention a division of the universe into distinct and equal areas. To identify the novelty in Empedocles' theory, I will emphasize the various ways in which thinkers structured the universe since Homer and illustrate the kind of relationship they established between cosmic areas and elements.