Golden age: Encyclopedia - Golden age

Golden age

A golden age is a temporal term originated from early Greek and Roman poets. The term refers to a time when mankind lived in a utopia and was pure and/or immortal. It usually ends with a devastating event, identified to the Fall of Man (see Ages of Man).

Golden age - Mythology

In classical mythology, this took place during the reign of Cronus. Peace and harmony prevailed during this age. Humans did not grow old, but died peacefully. Spring was eternal and people were fed on acorns from a great oak as well as wild fruits and honey that dripped from the trees. The spirits of those men who died were known as Aimones and were guides for the later ancient Greeks (who considered themselves to live in the later Iron Age.)

This race eventually died out when Prometheus (a Titan) gave the secret of fire to men. Zeus punished men, allowing Pandora to open her box which unleashed all evil in the mortal world.

Within sequences or cycles of eras, the golden age stands alongside the silver age and the iron age, and conditions can improve or decline according to one's conception of mythic progression.

Golden age - Christianity

In Christian tradition, the Golden Age is identified with Eden. It is considered to return during the reign of Christ which will never end. See also millennialism.

Golden age - Other traditions

In Tolkien's mythology, the Golden Age can be identifed with the Years of the Trees, when Valar and Eldar lived in Valinor, lighted by the Two Trees and the stars.

See also

• Ages of Man
• Eden
• Utopia
• Millenialism

Categories: Historiography | Mythology

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Golden age", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki