Do you have any interesting and/or capturing books which could help we with exploration of this topic?
What is the most fascinating comedy you've ever read? I love Menander's new attic comedies, the chosen ones are 'Dyskolos' and 'Samia'.
I know that Greeks like Aristotle believed in 4. But some Pre-Socrates believe in a fifth called Aether, which pervades the sun and stars.
This reminds me of the Indian Panchabhutas, where the fifth element is Akasha or Void. It is the backdrop of the universe and not a material element.
Could this have been Indian influence via Persia? I guess this is as certain as David Pingree’s belief that Indian astronomy came from Babylon.