https:\/\/www.antiquitatem.com\/en\/the-mith-of-the-ages-of-man-quixote-<\/a><\/p>\n\n\tOften ancient conceived history as a cycle of successive moments, certainly impressed by the astronomical cycles and cyclical reproduction of stellar motions. This is a well represented by the Stoics<\/em> idea whom each cycle ends with a great conflagration.<\/p>\n\n\tThey call "age<\/em>", "Aetas<\/em>" each stage of this movement which ever begins and ends. Consider that this denomination has had huge success: we still divide the history into "ages<\/em>".<\/p>\n\n\tMore still, "the myth of the Ages<\/em>" has been transposed to the History of Literature<\/em>; so we speak “Golden Age of Literature<\/em>”, for example Spanish Golden Age; or Silver Age<\/em>, for example of Latin Literature. I do not recognize the term "Bronze Age<\/em>" refers to literature, perhaps because the literature is of Gold, of Silver least, or it is not literature. But extending the simile, we may refer to much of the current "Literature", to the bestseller of supermarket as "Age of Barro<\/em>" or better of "Mud<\/em>", given the null literary value. While we must be careful with the names, after all there are several myths, pagan and Christian, which make us beings originated from humble mud.<\/p>\n\n\tWell, in this context, the myth of the ages of man, that Hesiod <\/em>told us the first, came. Then they are many other authors.<\/p>\n\n\tHesiod<\/em>, who does not use the term "ages<\/em>" but races<\/em>, distinguishes five races. Many years later Aratus of Solos <\/em>(310-240 BC) distinguishes three races too; Virgil<\/em>, Horace <\/em>and Tibullus <\/em>in a passage speak of two; Horace <\/em>elsewhere speaks of four.<\/p>\n\n\tAratus of Solos<\/em> (310-240) is the author of the famous astronomical didactic poem "Phenomena<\/em>", one of the most widespread and translated books in ancient. In verses 96-136 <\/em>he describes the constellation of the Virgin<\/em>, which is the Justice<\/em>, which he placed among men in the honorable times and escaped to heaven in view of the evils of men. This Catasterism <\/em>(1) of Justice <\/em>is connected to the myth of the races or ages. Hesiod <\/em>does not explain to us the origin of each of the "ages<\/em>"; for Aratus<\/em>, who speaks also of races and ages and distinguishes only three: golden, silver and bronze, the origin is on human evil itself which is progressive.<\/p>\n\n\tNote<\/em>: we call "Catasterism<\/em>" to conversion or transformation of gods, heroic beings, mythological events, and even ethical principles later, in stars, celestial bodies in the sky, or clusters of stars. This is a technical or cult Greek term, composed of the preposition kata<\/em>, κατ\u03ac (above, below<\/em>) and the noun \u1f00στ\u03aeρ, aster<\/em>, (star). The term was used as a title of a booklet attributable to the director of the Library of Alexandria<\/em>, the mathematician, geographer, astronomer, physician, scholar, literary author, Eratosthenes<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\tAratus, Phaenomena, 93-136<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tThe Virgin (Virgo)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tBeneath both feet of Boötes mark the Maiden [Virgo], who in her hands bears the gleaming Ear of Corn [Spica]. Whether she be daughter of Astraeus, who, men say, was of old the father of the stars, or child of other sire, untroubled be her course! But another tale is current among men, how of old she dwelt on earth and met men face to face, nor ever disdained in olden time the tribes of men and women, but mingling with them took her seat, immortal though she was. Her men called Justice; but she assembling the elders, it might be in the market-place or in the wide-wayed streets, uttered her voice, ever urging on them judgements kinder to the people. Not yet in that age had men knowledge of hateful strife, or carping contention, or din of battle, but a simple life they lived. Far from them was the cruel sea and not yet from afar did ships bring their livelihood, but the oxen and the plough and Justice herself, queen of the peoples, giver of things just, abundantly supplied their every need. Even so long as the earth still nurtured the Golden Race, she had her dwelling on earth. But with the Silver Race only a little and no longer with utter readiness did she mingle, for that she yearned for the ways of the men of old. Yet in that Silver Age was she still upon the earth; but from the echoing hills at eventide she came alone, nor spake to any man in gentle words. But when she had filled the great heights with gathering crowds, then would she with threats rebuke their evil ways, and declare that never more at their prayer would she reveal her face to man. “Behold what manner of race the fathers of the Golden Age left behind them! Far meaner than themselves! But ye will breed a viler progeny! Verily wars and cruel bloodshed shall be unto men and grievous woe shall be laid upon them.” Even so she spake and sought the hills and left the people all gazing towards her still. But when they, too, were dead, and when, more ruinous than they which went before, the Race of Bronze was born, who were the first to forge the sword of the highwayman, and the first to eat of the flesh of the ploughing-ox, then verily did Justice loathe that race of men and fly heavenward and took up that abode, where even now in the night time the Maiden is seen of men, established near to far-seen Boötes.<\/strong><\/em> ( Translated by Mair, A. W. & G. R. Loeb Classical Library Volume 129. London: William Heinemann, 1921.)<\/p>\n\n\tCicero<\/em> translated the poem of Aratus <\/em>literally. Only fragments remain, about two thirds of that translation. He also used quotes in several of his works, such as the example we have in his On the Nature of the Gods (De natura deorum), in Book II, 159 (63)<\/em>, when referring to the oxen of work he translates the verses of Aratus 129 et seq<\/em>. which I reproduce:<\/p>\n\n\tDe natura deorum, II, 159<\/em>,<\/p>\n\n\tWhy should I speak of oxen? The very shape of their backs makes it clear that they were not destined to carry burdens, whereas their necks were born for the yoke and their broad powerful shoulders for drawing the plough. And as it was by their means that the earth was brought under tillage by breaking up its clods, no violence was ever used towards them, so the poets say, by the men of that Golden Age:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\t “But then the iron race sprang into being,
\n\t And first did dare to forge the deadly sword,
\n\t And taste the ox its hand had tamed to bondage.”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\tSo valuable was deemed the service that ma received from oxen that to eat their flesh was held a crime.<\/strong><\/em> (Translated by H. Rackham, M.A. The Lobed Classical Library)<\/p>\n\n\t“ quid de bubus loquar; quorum ipsa terga declarant non esse se ad onus accipiendum figurata, cervices autem natae ad iugum, tum vires umerorum et latitudines ad aratra †extrahenda. quibus cum terrae subigerentur fissione glebarum ab illo aureo genere, ut poetae loquuntur, vis nulla umquam adferebatur:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tferrea tum vero proles exorta repentest
\n\tausaque funestum primast fabricarier ensem
\n\tet gustare manu iunctum domitumque iuvencum:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\ttanta putabatur utilitas percipi e bubus, ut eorum visceribus vesci scelus haberetur.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tNote that eating beef was a crime.<\/p>\n
\n\tCicero, Germanic and Avienus<\/em> translated into Latin Arato's work<\/em>; this gives us an idea of the great success that this work was in a world where the stars determined the lives of men.<\/p>\n\n\tOvid <\/em>tells us there were four generations on Metamorphosis I, 70-163:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tAnd scarcely had He separated these
\n\tand fixed their certain bounds, when all the stars,
\n\twhich long were pressed and hidden in the mass,
\n\tbegan to gleam out from the plains of heaven,
\n\tand traversed, with the Gods, bright ether fields:
\n\tand lest some part might be bereft of life
\n\tthe gleaming waves were filled with twinkling fish;
\n\tthe earth was covered with wild animals;
\n\tthe agitated air was filled with birds.
\n\tBut one more perfect and more sanctified,
\n\ta being capable of lofty thought,
\n\tintelligent to rule, was wanting still
\n\tman was created! Did the Unknown God
\n\tdesigning then a better world make man
\n\tof seed divine? or did Prometheus
\n\ttake the new soil of earth (that still contained
\n\tsome godly element of Heaven's Life)
\n\tand use it to create the race of man;
\n\tfirst mingling it with water of new streams;
\n\tso that his new creation, upright man,
\n\twas made in image of commanding Gods?
\n\tOn earth the brute creation bends its gaze,
\n\tbut man was given a lofty countenance
\n\tand was commanded to behold the skies;
\n\tand with an upright face may view the stars:—
\n\tand so it was that shapeless clay put on
\n\tthe form of man till then unknown to earth.
\n\tQuattuor aetates. Gigantes.
\n\tTHE FOUR AGES
\n\tFirst was the Golden Age. Then rectitude
\n\tspontaneous in the heart prevailed, and faith.
\n\tAvengers were not seen, for laws unframed
\n\twere all unknown and needless. Punishment
\n\tand fear of penalties existed not.
\n\tNo harsh decrees were fixed on brazen plates.
\n\tNo suppliant multitude the countenance
\n\tof Justice feared, averting, for they dwelt
\n\twithout a judge in peace. Descended not
\n\tthe steeps, shorn from its height, the lofty pine,
\n\tcleaving the trackless waves of alien shores,
\n\tnor distant realms were known to wandering men.
\n\tThe towns were not entrenched for time of war;
\n\tthey had no brazen trumpets, straight, nor horns
\n\tof curving brass, nor helmets, shields nor swords.
\n\tThere was no thought of martial pomp —secure
\n\ta happy multitude enjoyed repose.
\n\tThen of her own accord the earth produced
\n\ta store of every fruit. The harrow touched
\n\ther not, nor did the plowshare wound
\n\ther fields. And man content with given food,
\n\tand none compelling, gathered arbute fruits
\n\tand wild strawberries on the mountain sides,
\n\tand ripe blackberries clinging to the bush,
\n\tand corners and sweet acorns on the ground,
\n\tdown fallen from the spreading tree of Jove.
\n\tEternal Spring! Soft breathing zephyrs soothed
\n\tand warmly cherished buds and blooms, produced
\n\twithout a seed. The valleys though unplowed
\n\tgave many fruits; the fields though not renewed
\n\twhite glistened with the heavy bearded wheat:
\n\trivers flowed milk and nectar, and the trees,
\n\tthe very oak trees, then gave honey of themselves.
\n\tWhen Saturn had been banished into night
\n\tand all the world was ruled by Jove supreme,
\n\tthe Silver Age, though not so good as gold
\n\tbut still surpassing yellow brass, prevailed.
\n\tJove first reduced to years the Primal Spring,
\n\tby him divided into periods four,
\n\tunequal,—summer, autumn, winter, spring.—
\n\tthen glowed with tawny heat the parched air,
\n\tor pendent icicles in winter froze
\n\tand man stopped crouching in crude caverns, while
\n\the built his homes of tree rods, bark entwined.
\n\tThen were the cereals planted in long rows,
\n\tand bullocks groaned beneath the heavy yoke.
\n\tThe third Age followed, called The Age of Bronze,
\n\twhen cruel people were inclined to arms
\n\tbut not to impious crimes. And last of all
\n\tthe ruthless and hard Age of Iron prevailed,
\n\tfrom which malignant vein great evil sprung;
\n\tand modesty and faith and truth took flight,
\n\tand in their stead deceits and snares and frauds
\n\tand violence and wicked love of gain,
\n\tsucceeded.—Then the sailor spread his sails
\n\tto winds unknown, and keels that long had stood
\n\ton lofty mountains pierced uncharted waves.
\n\tSurveyors anxious marked with metes and bounds
\n\tthe lands, created free as light and air:
\n\tnor need the rich ground furnish only crops,
\n\tand give due nourishment by right required,—
\n\tthey penetrated to the bowels of earth
\n\tand dug up wealth, bad cause of all our ills,—
\n\trich ores which long ago the earth had hid
\n\tand deep removed to gloomy Stygian caves:
\n\tand soon destructive iron and harmful gold
\n\twere brought to light; and War, which uses both,
\n\tcame forth and shook with sanguinary grip
\n\this clashing arms. Rapacity broke forth—
\n\tthe guest was not protected from his host,
\n\tthe father in law from his own son in law;
\n\teven brothers seldom could abide in peace.
\n\tThe husband threatened to destroy his wife,
\n\tand she her husband: horrid step dames mixed
\n\tthe deadly henbane: eager sons inquired
\n\ttheir fathers, ages. Piety was slain:
\n\tand last of all the virgin deity,
\n\tAstraea vanished from the blood-stained earth.
\n\tGIANTS
\n\tAnd lest ethereal heights should long remain
\n\tless troubled than the earth, the throne of Heaven
\n\twas threatened by the Giants; and they piled
\n\tmountain on mountain to the lofty stars.
\n\tBut Jove, omnipotent, shot thunderbolts
\n\tthrough Mount Olympus, and he overturned
\n\tfrom Ossa huge, enormous Pelion.
\n\tAnd while these dreadful bodies lay overwhelmed
\n\tin their tremendous bulk, (so fame reports)
\n\tthe Earth was reeking with the copious blood
\n\tof her gigantic sons; and thus replete
\n\twith moisture she infused the steaming gore
\n\twith life renewed. So that a monument
\n\tof such ferocious stock should be retained,
\n\tshe made that offspring in the shape of man;
\n\tbut this new race alike despised the Gods,
\n\tand by the greed of savage slaughter proved
\n\ta sanguinary birth.<\/strong><\/em>
\n\t(Ovid. Metamorphoses. Brookes More. Boston. Cornhill Publishing Co. 1922.)<\/p>\n\n\tVix ita limitibus dissaepserat omnia certis,
\n\tcum, quae pressa diu massa latuere sub illa,
\n\tsidera coeperunt toto effervescere caelo.
\n\tNeu regio foret ulla suis animalibus orba,
\n\tastra tenent caeleste solum formaeque deorum,
\n\tcesserunt nitidis habitandae piscibus undae,
\n\tterra feras cepit, volucres agitabilis aer.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tSanctius his animal mentisque capacius altae
\n\tdeerat adhuc et quod dominari in cetera posset.
\n\tNatus homo est, sive hunc divino semine fecit
\n\tille opifex rerum, mundi melioris origo,
\n\tsive recens tellus seductaque nuper ab alto
\n\taethere cognati retinebat semina caeli;
\n\tquam satus Iapeto mixtam pluvialibus undis
\n\tfinxit in effigiem moderantum cuncta deorum.
\n\tPronaque cum spectent animalia cetera terram,
\n\tos homini sublime dedit, caelumque videre
\n\tiussit et erectos ad sidera tollere vultus.
\n\tSic, modo quae fuerat rudis et sine imagine, tellus
\n\tinduit ignotas hominum conversa figuras.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tAurea prima sata est aetas, quae vindice nullo,
\n\tsponte sua, sine lege fidem rectumque colebat.
\n\tPoena metusque aberant, nec verba minantia fixo
\n\taere legebantur, nec supplex turba timebat
\n\tiudicis ora sui, sed erant sine vindice tuti.
\n\tNondum caesa suis, peregrinum ut viseret orbem,
\n\tmontibus in liquidas pinus descenderat undas,
\n\tnullaque mortales praeter sua litora norant.
\n\tNondum praecipites cingebant oppida fossae;
\n\tnon tuba directi, non aeris cornua flexi,
\n\tnon galeae, non ensis erat: sine militis usu
\n\tmollia securae peragebant otia gentes.
\n\tipsa quoque inmunis rastroque intacta nec ullis
\n\tsaucia vomeribus per se dabat omnia tellus;
\n\tcontentique cibis nullo cogente creatis
\n\tarbuteos fetus montanaque fraga legebant
\n\tcornaque et in duris haerentia mora rubetis
\n\tet quae deciderant patula Iovis arbore glandes.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tVer erat aeternum, placidique tepentibus auris
\n\tmulcebant zephyri natos sine semine flores.
\n\tMox etiam fruges tellus inarata ferebat,
\n\tnec renovatus ager gravidis canebat aristis;
\n\tflumina iam lactis, iam flumina nectaris ibant,
\n\tflavaque de viridi stillabant ilice mella.
\n\tPostquam, Saturno tenebrosa in Tartara misso,
\n\tsub Iove mundus erat, subiit argentea proles,
\n\tauro deterior, fulvo pretiosior aere.
\n\tIuppiter antiqui contraxit tempora veris
\n\tperque hiemes aestusque et inaequalis autumnos
\n\tet breve ver spatiis exegit quattuor annum.
\n\tTum primum siccis aer fervoribus ustus
\n\tcanduit, et ventis glacies adstricta pependit.
\n\tTum primum subiere domus (domus antra fuerunt
\n\tet densi frutices et vinctae cortice virgae).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tSemina tum primum longis Cerealia sulcis
\n\tobruta sunt, pressique iugo gemuere iuvenci.
\n\tTertia post illam successit aenea proles,
\n\tsaevior ingeniis et ad horrida promptior arma,
\n\tnon scelerata tamen. De duro est ultima ferro.
\n\tProtinus inrupit venae peioris in aevum
\n\tomne nefas: fugere pudor verumque fidesque;
\n\tIn quorum subiere locum fraudesque dolique
\n\tinsidiaeque et vis et amor sceleratus habendi.
\n\tVela dabat ventis (nec adhuc bene noverat illos)
\n\tnavita; quaeque diu steterant in montibus altis,
\n\tfluctibus ignotis insultavere carinae,
\n\tcommunemque prius ceu lumina solis et auras
\n\tcautus humum longo signavit limite mensor.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tNec tantum segetes alimentaque debita dives
\n\tposcebatur humus, sed itum est in viscera terrae:
\n\tquasque recondiderat Stygiisque admoverat umbris,
\n\teffodiuntur opes, inritamenta malorum.
\n\tIamque nocens ferrum ferroque nocentius aurum
\n\tprodierat: prodit bellum, quod pugnat utroque,
\n\tsanguineaque manu crepitantia concutit arma.
\n\tVivitur ex rapto: non hospes ab hospite tutus,
\n\tnon socer a genero; fratrum quoque gratia rara est.
\n\tInminet exitio vir coniugis, illa mariti;
\n\tlurida terribiles miscent aconita novercae;
\n\tfilius ante diem patrios inquirit in annos.
\n\tVicta iacet pietas, et virgo caede madentis,
\n\tultima caelestum terras Astraea reliquit.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tNeve foret terris securior arduus aether,
\n\tadfectasse ferunt regnum caeleste Gigantas
\n\taltaque congestos struxisse ad sidera montes.
\n\tTum pater omnipotens misso perfregit Olympum
\n\tfulmine et excussit subiectae Pelion Ossae.
\n\tObruta mole sua cum corpora dira iacerent,
\n\tperfusam multo natorum sanguine Terram
\n\tinmaduisse ferunt calidumque animasse cruorem,
\n\tet, ne nulla suae stirpis monimenta manerent,
\n\tin faciem vertisse hominum. Sed et illa propago
\n\tcontemptrix superum saevaeque avidissima caedis
\n\tet violenta fuit: scires e sanguine natos.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tVirgil<\/em> refers extensively to the myth of the "ages" in four or five times. In particular he does it in the famous Fourth Eclogue<\/em>, in which he sings a happy next time. At the time I will devote an article to this eclogue of now I just give four verses in which he expressly refers to the ages of man:<\/p>\n\n\tNow the last age by Cumae's Sibyl sung
\n\thas come and gone, and the majestic roll
\n\tof circling centuries begins anew:
\n\tjustice returns, returns old Saturn's reign,
\n\twith a new breed of men sent down from heaven.
\n\tOnly do thou, at the boy's birth in whom
\n\tthe iron shall cease, the golden race arise,
\n\tbefriend him, chaste Lucina; 'tis thine own
\n\tapollo reigns.<\/strong><\/em>
\n\t(Vergil. Eclogues. J. B. Greenough. Boston. Ginn & Co. 1895.)<\/p>\n\n\tUltima Cumaei venit iam carminis aetas;
\n\tmagnus ab integro saeclorum nascitur ordo:
\n\tiam redit et Virgo, redeunt Saturnia regna;
\n\tiam nova progenies caelo demittitur alto.
\n\tTu modo nascenti puero, quo ferrea primum
\n\tdesinet ac toto surget gens aurea mundo,
\n\tcasta fave Lucina: tuus iam regnat Apollo.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tNote<\/em>: This eclogue was written shortly before the birth of Christ, and later Christians <\/em>gave it a meaning of Christian prophecy, for example Lactantius <\/em>and Augustine<\/em>. But the truth is that almost certainly it is dedicated to the newborn son of Pollio<\/em>, consul inthat year.<\/p>\n\n\tVirgil <\/em>also refers it on Georgics I, 125-145 \/<\/p>\n\n\tBefore Jove
\n\tFields knew no taming hand of husbandmen;
\n\tTo mark the plain or mete with boundary-line—
\n\tEven this was impious; for the common stock
\n\tThey gathered, and the earth of her own will
\n\tAll things more freely, no man bidding, bore.
\n\tHe to black serpents gave their venom-bane,
\n\tAnd bade the wolf go prowl, and ocean toss;
\n\tShooed from the leaves their honey, put fire away,
\n\tAnd curbed the random rivers running wine,
\n\tThat use by gradual dint of thought on thought
\n\tMight forge the various arts, with furrow's help
\n\tThe corn-blade win, and strike out hidden fire
\n\tFrom the flint's heart. Then first the streams were ware
\n\tOf hollowed alder-hulls: the sailor then
\n\tTheir names and numbers gave to star and star,
\n\tPleiads and Hyads, and Lycaon's child
\n\tBright Arctos; how with nooses then was found
\n\tTo catch wild beasts, and cozen them with lime,
\n\tAnd hem with hounds the mighty forest-glades.
\n\tSoon one with hand-net scourges the broad stream,
\n\tProbing its depths, one drags his dripping toils
\n\tAlong the main; then iron's unbending might,
\n\tAnd shrieking saw-blade,—for the men of old
\n\tWith wedges wont to cleave the splintering log;—
\n\tThen divers arts arose; toil conquered all,
\n\tRemorseless toil, and poverty's shrewd push
\n\tIn times of hardship. Ceres was the first
\n\tSet mortals on with tools to turn the sod,
\n\tWhen now the awful groves 'gan fail to bear
\n\tAcorns and arbutes, and her wonted food
\n\tDodona gave no more.<\/strong><\/em>
\n\t(Vergil. Bucolics, Aeneid, and Georgics Of Vergil. J. B. Greenough. Boston. Ginn & Co. 1900.)<\/p>\n\n\tAnte Iovem nulli subigebant arva coloni;
\n\tne signare quidem aut partiri limite campum
\n\tfas erat: in medium quaerebant ipsaque tellus
\n\tomnia liberius nullo poscente ferebat.
\n\tIlle malum virus serpentibus addidit atris
\n\tpraedarique lupos iussit pontumque moveri,
\n\tmellaque decussit foliis ignemque removit
\n\tet passim rivis currentia vina repressit,
\n\tut varias usus meditando extunderet artis
\n\tpaulatim et sulcis frumenti quaereret herbam.
\n\tUt silicis venis abstrusum excuderet ignem.
\n\tTunc alnos primum fluvii sensere cavatas;
\n\tnavita tum stellis numeros et nomina fecit,
\n\tPleiadas, Hyadas, claramque Lycaonis Arcton;
\n\ttum laqueis captare feras et fallere visco
\n\tinventum et magnos canibus circumdare saltus;
\n\tatque alius latum funda iam verberat amnem
\n\talta petens, pelagoque alius trahit humida lina;
\n\ttum ferri rigor atque argutae lamina serrae,—
\n\tnam primi cuneis scindebant fissile lignum
\n\ttum variae venere artes. Labor omnia vicit
\n\tinprobus et duris urgens in rebus egestas.
\n\tPrima Ceres ferro mortalis vertere terram
\n\tinstituit, cum iam glandes atque arbuta sacrae
\n\tdeficerent silvae et victum Dodona negaret.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tAnd also in the final verses of Book II of the Georgics:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tGeorgics, II 532 et seq .:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tSuch life of yore the ancient Sabines led,
\n\tSuch Remus and his brother: Etruria thus,
\n\tDoubt not, to greatness grew, and Rome became
\n\tThe fair world's fairest, and with circling wall
\n\tClasped to her single breast the sevenfold hills.
\n\tAy, ere the reign of Dicte's king, ere men,
\n\tWaxed godless, banqueted on slaughtered bulls,
\n\tSuch life on earth did golden Saturn lead.
\n\tNor ear of man had heard the war-trump's blast,
\n\tNor clang of sword on stubborn anvil set.
\n\tBut lo! a boundless space we have travelled o'er;
\n\t'Tis time our steaming horses to unyoke.<\/strong><\/em>
\n\t(Translation by English J. B. Greenough, 1900)<\/p>\n\n\tHanc olim veteres vitam coluere Sabini,
\n\thanc Remus et frater, sic fortis Etruria crevit
\n\tscilicet et rerum facta est pulcherrima Roma,
\n\tseptemque una sibi muro circumdedit arces.
\n\tAnte etiam sceptrum Dictaei regis et ante
\n\tinpia quam caesis gens est epulata iuvencis,
\n\taureus hanc vitam in terris Saturnus agebat;
\n\tnecdum etiam audierant inflari classica, necdum
\n\tinpositos duris crepitare incudibus enses.
\n\tSed nos inmensum spatiis confecimus aequor,
\n\tet iam tempus equum fumantia solvere colla.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tNote<\/em>: On Virgili<\/em>’s the work is not a punishment from Jupiter<\/em>, but the source of civilization.<\/p>\n\n\tHorace <\/em>speaks on end of epode XVI<\/em> of three ages, omitting Silver age<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\tEpode, XVI, 57 et seq.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tThe pine rowed by the Argonauts never attempted to come hither; nor did the lascivious [Medea] of Colchis set her foot [in this place]: hither the Sidonian mariners never turned their sail-yards, nor the toiling crew of Ulysses. No contagious distempers hurt the flocks; nor does the fiery violence of any constellation scorch the herd. Jupiter set apart these shores for a pious people, when he debased the golden age with brass: with brass, then with iron he hardened the ages; from which there shall be a happy escape for the good, according to my predictions.<\/strong><\/em> (Translated by C.Smart)<\/p>\n\n\tnon huc Argoo contendit rémige pinus,
\n\tneque impudica Cochis intulit pedem;
\n\tnon huc Sidonii torserunt cornua nautae
\n\tlaboriosa nec cohors Vlixei:
\n\tIuppiter illa piae secrevit litora genti,
\n\tut inquinavit aere tempus aureum;
\n\taere, dehinc ferro duravit saecula, quórum
\n\tpiis secunda vate me datur fuga.<\/em><\/p>\n\tHorace <\/em>refers on other place to the progressive degeneration of human generations (our grandparents, our parents, ourselves and our children, each geneation worse than the previous generation) Carmina, III, 6, 45 et seq .<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tWhat has not cankering Time made worse?
\n\tViler than grandsires, sires beget
\n\tOurselves, yet baser, soon to curse
\n\tThe world with offspring baser yet.<\/em><\/strong>
\n\t(Horace. The Odes and Carmen Saeculare of Horace. John Conington. trans. London. George Bell and Sons. 1882).<\/p>\n\n\tdamnosa quid non imminuit dies?
\n\taetas parentum peior avis tulit
\n\tnos nequiores, mox daturos
\n\tprogeniem vitiosiorem.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tThe Latin poet Tibullus Albius<\/em> ( 50-19 BC) reduces the ages to two: the Age of Saturn<\/em>, when love was free, and this one of Jupiter <\/em>with violence, private property and theft<\/p>\n\n\tTibullus <\/em>(50 a. C. – 19 a. C) .Elegies, I,3,35-66<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tHow happily men lived when Saturn reigned!
\n\t Ere weary highways crossed the fair young world,
\n\t Ere lofty ships the purple seas disdained,
\n\t Their swelling canvas to the winds unfurled!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\t No roving seaman, from a distant course,
\n\t Filled full of far-fetched wares his frail ship's hold:
\n\t At home, the strong bull stood unyoked; the horse
\n\t Endured no bridle in the age of gold.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\t Men's houses had no doors? No firm-set rock
\n\t Marked field from field by niggard masters held.
\n\t The very oaks ran honey; the mild flock
\n\t Brought home its swelling udders, uncompelled.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\t Nor wrath nor war did that blest kingdom know;
\n\t No craft was taught in old Saturnian time,
\n\t By which the frowning smith, with blow on blow,
\n\t Could forge the furious sword and so much crime.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\t Now Jove is king! Now have we carnage foul,
\n\t And wreckful seas, and countless ways to die.
\n\t Nay! spare me, Father Jove, for on my soul
\n\t Nor perjury, nor words blaspheming lie.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\t If longer life I ask of Fate in vain,
\n\t O'er my frail dust this superscription be:—
\n\t"Here Death's dark hand TIBULLUS doth detain,
\n\tMessala's follower over land and sea!"<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\t Then, since my soul to love did always yield,
\n\t Let Venus guide it the immortal way,
\n\t Where dance and song fill all th' Elysian field,
\n\t And music that will never die away.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\t There many a song-bird with his fellow sails,
\n\t And cheerly carols on the cloudless air;
\n\t Each grove breathes incense; all the happy vales
\n\t O'er-run with roses, numberless and fair.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\tBright bands of youth with tender maidens stray,
\n\t Led by the love-god all delights to share;
\n\t And each fond lover death once snatched away
\n\t Winds an immortal myrtle in his hair.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\t Far, far from such, the dreadful realms of gloom
\n\t By those black streams of Hades circled round,
\n\t Where viper-tressed, fierce ministers of doom,—
\n\t The Furies drive lost souls from bound to bound.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\t The doors of brass, and dragon-gate of Hell,
\n\t Grim Cerberus guards, and frights the phantoms back:
\n\t Ixion, who by Juno's beauty fell,
\n\t Gives his frail body to the whirling rack.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\t(By Theodore C. Williams, Boston and New York Houghton Mifflin Company. (The Riverside Press Cambridge)1908<\/p>\n
\n\tQuam bene Saturno vivebant rege, priusquam
\n\tTellus in longas est patefacta vias!
\n\tNondum caeruleas pinus contempserat undas,
\n\tEffusum ventis praebueratque sinum,
\n\tNec vagus ignotis repetens conpendia terris
\n\tPresserat externa navita merce ratem.
\n\tIllo non validus subiit iuga tempore taurus,
\n\tNon domito frenos ore momordit equus,
\n\tNon domus ulla fores habuit, non fixus in agris,
\n\tQui regeret certis finibus arva, lapis.
\n\tIpsae mella dabant quercus, ultroque ferebant
\n\tObvia securis ubera lactis oves.
\n\tNon acies, non ira fuit, non bella, nec ensem
\n\tInmiti saevus duxerat arte faber.
\n\tNunc Iove sub domino caedes et vulnera semper,
\n\tNunc mare, nunc leti mille repente viae.
\n\tParce, pater. timidum non me periuria terrent,
\n\tNon dicta in sanctos inpia verba deos.
\n\tQuodsi fatales iam nunc explevimus annos,
\n\tFac lapis inscriptis stet super ossa notis:
\n\t‘Hic iacet inmiti consumptus morte Tibullus,
\n\tMessallam terra dum sequiturque mari.’
\n\tSed me, quod facilis tenero sum semper Amori,
\n\tIpsa Venus campos ducet in Elysios.
\n\tHic choreae cantusque vigent, passimque vagantes
\n\tDulce sonant tenui gutture carmen aves,
\n\tFert casiam non culta seges, totosque per agros
\n\tFloret odoratis terra benigna rosis;
\n\tAc iuvenum series teneris inmixta puellis
\n\tLudit, et adsidue proelia miscet Amor.
\n\t65Illic est, cuicumque rapax mors venit amanti,
\n\tEt gerit insigni myrtea serta coma.
\n\tAt scelerata iacet sedes in nocte profunda
\n\tAbdita, quam circum flumina nigra sonant:
\n\tTisiphoneque inpexa feros pro crinibus angues
\n\tSaevit, et huc illuc inpia turba fugit.
\n\ttum niger in porta serpentum Cerberus ore
\n\tstridet et aeratas excubat ante fores.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tJuvenal<\/em>, for whom the people under Saturn <\/em>lived simply, says in his Satire, VI, 1-20<\/em><\/p>\n\n\tThe Ways of Women<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\tIn the days of Saturn, I believe, Chastity still lingered on the earth, and was to be seen for a time —-days when men were poorly housed in chilly caves, when one common shelter enclosed hearth and household gods, herds and their owners; when the hill-bred wife spread her silvan bed with leaves and straw and the skins of her neighbours the wild beasts—-a wife not like to thee, O Cynthia, nor to thee, Lesbia, whose bright eyes were clouded by a sparrow's death, but one whose breasts gave suck to lusty babes, often more unkempt herself than her acorn-belching spouse. For in those days, when the world was young, and the skies were new, men born of the riven oak, or formed of dust, lived differently from now, and had no parents of their own. Under Jove, perchance, some few traces of ancient modesty may have survived; but that was before he had grown his beard, before the Greeks had learned to swear by someone else's head, when men feared not thieves for their cabbages or apples, and lived with unwalled gardens. After that Astraea withdrew by degrees to heaven, with Chastity as her comrade, the two sisters taking flight together.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\tTo set your neighbour's bed a-shaking, Postumus, and to flout the Genius of the sacred couch,6 is now an ancient and long-established practice. All other sins came later, the products of the age of Iron; but it was the silver age that saw the first adulterers.<\/strong><\/em>
\n\t[Translated by G. G. Ramsay, 1918]<\/p>\n\n\tNote<\/em>: Juvenal<\/em>, the satirist of “saeva indignatio<\/em>”, of the cruel spite, does not resist to demystify the myth when starting this Satire <\/em>he contrasts the primitive atmosphere of happiness and naturalness to "the mother disheveled breastfeeding and husband belching acorns<\/em>"<\/p>\n\n\tCredo Pudicitiam Saturno rege moratam
\n\tin terris uisamque diu, cum frigida paruas
\n\tpraeberet spelunca domos ignemque laremque
\n\tet pecus et dominos communi clauderet umbra,
\n\tsiluestrem montana torum cum sterneret uxor 5
\n\tfrondibus et culmo uicinarumque ferarum
\n\tpellibus, haut similis tibi, Cynthia, nec tibi, cuius
\n\tturbauit nitidos extinctus passer ocellos,
\n\tsed potanda ferens infantibus ubera magnis
\n\tet saepe horridior glandem ructante marito. 10
\n\tquippe aliter tunc orbe nouo caeloque recenti
\n\tuiuebant homines, qui rupto robore nati
\n\tcompositiue luto nullos habuere parentes.
\n\tmulta Pudicitiae ueteris uestigia forsan
\n\taut aliqua exstiterint et sub Ioue, sed Ioue nondum 15
\n\tbarbato, nondum Graecis iurare paratis
\n\tper caput alterius, cum furem nemo timeret
\n\tcaulibus ac pomis et aperto uiueret horto.
\n\tpaulatim deinde ad superos Astraea recessit
\n\thac comite, atque duae pariter fugere sorores. 20
\n\tanticum et uetus est alienum, Postume, lectum
\n\tconcutere atque sacri genium contemnere fulcri.
\n\tomne aliud crimen mox ferrea protulit aetas:
\n\tuiderunt primos argentea saecula moechos.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It is a topic or commonplace in many cultures that human life on Earth began in a time of happiness and absolute serenity, then interrupted by the amoral behavior of man, which since then has continued to get worse. These creations are not only literary, but they are part of the ideas of general cultural imaginary.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,9,8,14,15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4851","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-culture","category-education","category-gods-religion","category-language-literature","category-mythology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.antiquitatem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4851","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.antiquitatem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.antiquitatem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.antiquitatem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.antiquitatem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4851"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.antiquitatem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4851\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.antiquitatem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4851"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.antiquitatem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4851"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.antiquitatem.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4851"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}