The "age of man" can refer to different concepts. One way to interpret it is through the lens of Ancient Greek mythology, specifically the "Ages of Man" myth.
The Ages of Man in Greek Mythology
The Greek poet Hesiod, about 2700 years ago, wrote about the Ages of Man, dividing the history of the world into five distinct eras. This myth describes a decline in the quality of human life and the relationship between humans and gods over time.
The Five Ages
| Age | Characteristics | Relationship with Gods |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Age | Humans lived in peace and harmony; no work or sorrow | Close to the gods |
| Silver Age | Less noble than the Golden Age; long childhoods | Less connected |
| Bronze Age | Warlike and destructive | Distant |
| Heroic Age | Age of heroes and great deeds | Some divine intervention |
| Iron Age | Age of toil, sorrow, and injustice | Abandoned by the gods |
As you can see, according to this myth, the "age of man" isn't a single, quantifiable age. It represents a progression of different eras, each with its own characteristics. The current age of man, according to this framework, is the Iron Age, an era marked by hardship and a separation from the divine. This is considered the "age of man" currently, not a number of years.
