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The Four Elements

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The Four Elements
The Four Elements The task of the Gods was to govern the four elements and control the natural forces of the universe “According to the Empedocles, a Greek philosopher, scientist and healer who lived in Sicily in the fifth century B.C., all matter is comprised of four “roots" or elements of earth, air, fire, and water. Fire and air are outwardly reaching elements, reaching up and out, whereas earth and water turn inward and downward” (Tracy, 1998). The Gods and Goddesses in mythology give nations structure and illustration to live. Fear undoubtedly has been instilled through mythology to keep people in control.
As the Gods reach out to mankind through their historical recordings, the recordings establish a foundation for our existence. Fear sets in as we hear the name of the God of Air, Zeus. His stature dominating as he carries the thunderbolt in his hand. “Zeus was the supreme god and ruler of Olympus. He was known by many titles: Lord of the Sky, the Cloud- gatherer, the Rain-god and Zeus the Thunderer, all of which show which force of nature was considered to be the most important in Ancient World - rain. His weapon is, of course the thunderbolt which he hurled at whoever displeased him” (Subsidy Publishing, 2002).
Zeus and his two brothers divided the firmaments after they conquered their father. The portion of the air and sky was drawn by Zeus and he is the ruler over the society of Gods. He presides over the heavenly manifestations causing rain, thunder, lightning, and maintains order and justice in the world. Zeus allotted good and evil, rebuked murderers, and sheltered the weak. He judiciously observed the actions on the Earth.
Zeus’s brother was the God of fire. “Haides (Aides, Aidoneus, or Hades) was the King of the Underworld, the god of death and the dead. He presided over funeral rites and defended the right of the dead to due burial. Haides was also the god of the hidden wealth of the earth, from the fertile soil which



References: Atsma, Aaron. (2008). Theoi Project. Hades. Retrieved from, http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/Haides.html Carr, Karen Dr. (2010). Kidipede, History for Kids. Persephone. Retrieved from, http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/greeks/religion/persephone.htm Nancy Creations. (2011). Goddess Archetype Demeter. A Brief Psychological Overview of Demeter

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