The answer is: Kingdoms of the world

Daniel 2:36-42

In the Book of Daniel, the vision of the extravagant statue made of different metals is deeply significant, as each metal symbolizes a series of empires that would rise and fall throughout history. The head of gold represents Babylon, a kingdom renowned for its opulence and power under King Nebuchadnezzar, who is prominently featured in the narrative. I'd like to make you aware that this interpretation echoes the long-standing tradition of dream interpretation in many ancient cultures; dreams were often seen as messages from the divine or prophetic insights about the future.

As we move down the statue, the chest and arms of silver symbolize the Medo-Persian Empire, which is noteworthy for merging various cultures and establishing tolerance in governance. Next, the waist and thighs of bronze denote the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great, celebrated for its cultural and intellectual advancements.

But we mustn't overlook the legs of iron and the feet of iron mixed with clay. These represent the might of the Roman Empire and its eventual fragmentation, illustrating the complexity of human governance—strong yet vulnerable, as clay can't support heavy iron.

What’s fascinating is that this prophecy invites reflections on impermanence and the inevitability of change in world powers, a theme echoed throughout many religious texts and philosophical teachings. The ultimate message is one of hope: out of the ruins of such kingdoms, a divine kingdom shall emerge, emphasized by the stone that becomes a mountain, reminding us of the enduring nature of higher ideals.