Golden Age

A golden age is a nostalgic, metaphorical reference to an earlier time when people lived in peace, harmony and prosperity. The concept derives from classical literature and is credited to the Greek philosopher Hesiod (see “Works and Days”, ll.109-126). The Golden Age was the pinnacle of human existence and thereafter followed a temporal decline of peoples, ending in the Iron Age (Hesiod’s time), where people live in toil and misery. It is somewhat apposite, therefore, that the ancient city of Athens – pictured here in all its ruined splendour – is now looked upon as the cradle of western civilisation. Athens has had its golden age - but are we all now in an “iron age” or will we look back at this modern age and view it as a “golden age” in light of struggles to come? Time will tell.