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Why did Aristotle reject the existence of a vacuum?

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Bronze bust of Epicurus with a full beard and draped clothing, displayed on a round inscribed base at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. — Atomism Epicurus, bronze bust from a Greek original, c. 280–270 bce; in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples.

Aristotle rejected the existence of a vacuum primarily based on his physical theory of motion. He posited that motion requires a constant cause, meaning a force must act on a body as long as it remains in motion.12

In his view, the velocity of a moving body is proportional to the force applied and inversely proportional to the resistance of the medium through which it moves. Aristotle argued that in a vacuum, resistance would be zero, which would cause this relationship to lose its logical meaning. Consequently, he concluded that nature abhors a vacuum, as he could not reconcile the concept of motion through empty space with his dynamical principles.12

Furthermore, Aristotle defined "place" as the inner surface of a container. Because he believed that place requires a containing body, he did not accept the existence of an infinite, empty space (or void) independent of matter.32