Hesiod’s Ages of Man circa 700 BC

Age of Gold Time of Cronus (Saturn) Men made of Gold by Cronus No sorrow or work – always spring Always youthful and long-lived – earth fed them When they died, they ‘passed away like a dream’ Became kindly spirits dwelling on earth, guardians of man

Golden Age

Age of Silver Duller than the first; men made of silver by Zeus Had very long lives, but they were contentious Didn’t honor the gods and fought with each other Zeus buried them under the earth where they became underground spirits

Silver Age (Saturn leaving)

Age of Bronze Men made of bronze from ash trees (source of spears) Terrible and warlike nature; weapons and houses made of bronze Hostile and aggressive, they killed each other off Died and went to Hades, nameless and unremembered

Age of Heroes Made by Zeus, they were half-gods (e.g., Cadmus) and spoke with gods Died in warfare but went to the “Islands of the Blessed” (Elysian Fields) in the afterlife, a beautiful and peaceful place, like Eden

Age of Heroes

Iron Age This is our own – life is hard and miserable We grow old quickly and die hard after a life of labor Men lie and cheat, betray their friends, disrespect their parents A time of sorrow and suffering…