AGES OF MAN IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
In Greek mythology, the story of the creation of man is normally centred around the Titan Prometheus. For it was said in most cases that Prometheus created man from clay, and then life was breathed into man either by Athena or the winds.
An alternative version of the creation of man comes from the work of Hesiod, Works and Days, in which the Greek poet tells of the five Ages of Man.
An alternative version of the creation of man comes from the work of Hesiod, Works and Days, in which the Greek poet tells of the five Ages of Man.
The Golden Age
The first of Hesiod’s five Ages of Man, was the Golden Age. This first generation of man was created by the supreme Titan god Cronus. These men lived amongst the gods, and as the earth produced an abundance of food, there was no need for them to toil; and nothing troubled them
The men of the Golden Age were long lived, yet never aged. When though, they did die, they simply laid down as if they were going to sleep. |
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Their bodies would be buried beneath the soil, whilst there spirits would live on as daimones, spirits who guided future generations of men.
The Silver Age
The Second Age of Man, according to Hesiod, was the Silver Age. Man was created by Zeus, although they were to be greatly inferior to the gods. Man was once again destined to live to an old age; an age most commonly said to be 100. Life though was far from normal, for most of their one hundred years, men were children, living under the rule of their mothers, and undertaking childish activity.
The Silver Age though was full of impious men, and as soon as they were adults they would begin to fight with each other, when they were supposed to be work the land. Zeus was forced to bring this age of men to an end.
The Silver Age though was full of impious men, and as soon as they were adults they would begin to fight with each other, when they were supposed to be work the land. Zeus was forced to bring this age of men to an end.
The Bronze Age
The Third Age of Man was the Bronze Age; an age of man once again created by Zeus, this time man was said to have been brought forth from ash trees. Hard and tough, man of this age was strong but incredibly warlike, with weapons and armour made of bronze.
Zeus became increasingly impatient with the actions of many impious individuals, and so Zeus would bring forth the Deluge, the Great Flood. It is commonly said that only Deucalion and Pyrrha survived the flood, although of course other tales of survivors occur in Greek Mythology. |
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The Age of Heroes
Hesiod would call the fourth Age of Man, the Age of Heroes; this is the age that dominates the surviving tales of Greek mythology. This was the time of demi-gods and mortal heroes. This Age of Man was created when Deucalion and Pyrrha threw rocks over their shoulders.
There were many examples of strong, brave and heroic individuals; where bands gathered together to undertake quests, such as that of the Golden Fleece or the Calydonian Hunt. Wars were common, such as the Seven Against Thebes, but even this Age of Man came to an end, when Zeus instigated the Trojan War to kill off many heroes.
There were many examples of strong, brave and heroic individuals; where bands gathered together to undertake quests, such as that of the Golden Fleece or the Calydonian Hunt. Wars were common, such as the Seven Against Thebes, but even this Age of Man came to an end, when Zeus instigated the Trojan War to kill off many heroes.
The Iron Age
The Iron Age was the Age of Man in Greek mythology that Hesiod believed he lived in. A time when tiredness and sorrow was common, when selfishness and evil flourished. The gods had all but forsaken man, and Hesiod believed that Zeus would soon bring the Age of Man to an end.
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Colin Quartermain - Ages of Man - 12th November 2022