Water in Ancient Cultures

Water is essential for life. This was already recognized by ancient cultures. Humans always settled near sources of water. The ancient Egyptian culture developed near the Nile river and the civilization in Mesopotamia (this is the Greek expression for land between two rivers) flourished between the two rivers Euphrat and Tigris. The Chinese civilization was centered about the Yellow and Yangzi river basins. 

Hanslmeier, Water in the Universe, Astrophysics and Space Science Library 368, 1 

In ancient Greek philosophy, water together with earth wind and fire was one of the four classical elements. To these four elements a fifth element was added known as aether or quintessence (meaning also the void). This fifth element was added by Archimedes (287-212 BC). He believed that stars must be made out of aether because they do not change. Water (symbol V) was associated with emotion and intuition. 

Thales of Milet (624-546 BC) stated that the origin of all matter in the Cosmos is water. Therefore, he anticipated what was recognized more than 2000 years later by biologists and chemists that water is a prerequisite for life. The four elements air, water, earth and fire were believed to be in a process of continuous change and transformation (Anaximander, 546 BC). 

Anaximines (494 BC) claimed that air is the fundamental substance. The soul is air. Fire is rarefied air. When air becomes condensed it becomes first water and then earth. Socrates (469-399 BC) was the mentor of Plato, Aristotle (384-322 BC) was a student of Plato (428-348 BC). Plato associated water with an icosahedron which is formed from twenty equilateral triangles. 

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