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My guess is that you don't understand the difference between the word 'aether' and 'ether'. 'Ether' has too many strong modern connotation, as despite being used as far back as classical times, its common use is now almost entirely 'modern.'
Ether is a class of organic compounds, as well as a specific, very flammable liquid. It's also one spelling of the word used, since classical times, to describe the medium that makes up space, being used later on to be described as the medium through which electro-magnetic waves travel.
Aether on the other hand, is not only a more faithful translation of the Greek 'aither' or the Latin 'aether' from which both words derive, but has much more appropriate meanings. It was used by the ancients to describe both the medium that makes up the heavens as well as the rarified upper air that the Gods on Olympus breathed.
So, the choice was between 'ether' which has a host of modern, scientific meanings, or 'aether' which has only 'ancient' meanings. I'm sure it's clear to most people why 'aether' was chosen.
--matt
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