There's no single answer to "Which age is most powerful?" as power is defined differently across various contexts. The most powerful age depends on the type of power being considered – physical strength, magical ability, social influence, or other forms.
Physical Strength
Research indicates that men achieve peak physical strength between the ages of 26 and 35, while women reach their peak between 26 and 37. Evidence Strong supports this finding. This refers to general physical strength, not specialized athletic skills developed through training.
Magical Ability (Fictional Contexts)
In fictional universes like Dragon Age, the "most powerful mage" is subjective and depends on the specific character, storyline, and interpretation. Based on various fan discussions (Reddit, Reddit, Dragon Age Fandom), powerful mages like Mythal, Eltharin'nan, Morrigan, and others are frequently cited, but their relative power remains a subject of debate among fans. Similarly, in Tolkien's legendarium, the "strongest elf" is debated, with Glorfindel often being suggested due to his feat of slaying a Balrog (Quora). These examples illustrate that "powerful" in fictional settings is context-dependent and not tied to a specific age.
Social and Political Power
Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Women list demonstrates that significant social and political influence is often associated with older ages. A significant percentage of those listed are over 50 years old (Forbes). This suggests that experience and accumulated influence contribute significantly to power in these domains.
In conclusion, there isn't one universally "most powerful" age. The answer depends entirely on the type of power being considered.
