The ancient Greek concept of four basic elements, these being earth (γῆ ge), water (ὕδωρ hudor), air (ἀήρ aer), and fire (πῦρ pur), dates from pre-Socratic times and persisted throughout the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, deeply influencing European thought and culture.
“Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” …. ” Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
When I took this picture I had little thought that a long period of social isolation would begin the next day. Did we ever live so freely? As Helen says to Priam on the walls of Troy: εἴ ποτ᾽ ἔην γε — ‘If it ever truly was.’