AboutIrulan Serena Expertise Able to answer any question dealing with Greco-Roman mythology. Experience comes from teaching classical literature in all levels of the school curriculum from middle school to university level for thirty-eight years.
Question Hi! I've already searched Google a bit and am not having much luck on this one.
I'm interested in the Ancient Greek's Apocalypse story. I can find how the Gods created the world, but I am unable to find how they will destroy it. Many religions have an "end of the world" prophecy, and I was wondering if the Ancient Greeks did as well.
Any ideas? Or any pointers to where I should look? Thanks for your help!
Answer Arius,
According to the Greek myths there have already been several apocalypses, each ending a period of man's existence on earth.
This is told in the myth of The Ages of Man which I have included in this response.
The Golden Age First generation of Man
There was first a golden race of mortal men who lived in the time of Cronos when he was reigning in heaven. They lived like gods without sorrow or toil, and they did not know Old Age. And although they died, it was as if they were overcome with sleep. It is said that the earth—unforced—bare them fruit abundantly and yielded—without compulsion—all needful things. For spring was everlasting, streams of milk and nectar flowed, and honey was distilled from the oak.
This Golden Age is described as the first age which compelled no one, kept faith and did the right. No law was necessary, Men dwelt in ease and peace upon their lands with many good things and loved by the gods. There was no law and therefore no fear of punishment. There were no cities, no swords or helmets, no foreign nations were attacked in war, nor did anyone sail over the seas. During this time, to mark the land with private bounds would have been wrong since men worked for the common store.
Some have said that during this age of Cronos all the parts of the universe were divided in regions, each ruled by a different god. There were no wild creatures and the animals, being ruled by divine shepherds, did not eat one another. In the same way, there was no war among men, for they were ruled by a high deity. There were no states or families; and since they all came to life coming out of the earth and with no memory of their previous lives, they did not possess wives nor did they have any children. At this time, the universe revolved backwards; and, the climate being tempered, the men of this age lived in the open air without clothing, receiving from the earth all they needed although they did not work in agriculture. And since the universe revolved backwards they became younger as they lived.
This is what the Golden Age has been credited with, and that is why men of other ages talk of a "golden age" whenever they remember any advantageous circumstances of the past, be it a low rate of crime, low taxes, or higher profit. But were they asked whether they believe in the Golden Age of Man, most of them would refuse it credence; for a man of his times can only regard other ages as products of imagination.
1ST APOCALYPSE - DESTRUCTION BY FIRE Man was loyal to Cronos and Zeus was afraid that Men would rise against him.
The Silver Age Second generation of Man
After Cronos was banished, the world was ruled by Zeus. Then the OLYMPIANS made a second generation of men which was of silver and less noble than the race of the Golden Age. Neither in body nor in soul was this race as its predecessor. At this time Zeus shortened the spring, and completed the year in four seasons, so that men for the first time sought the shelter of houses; for up to then their homes have been caves, dense thickets, and branches bound together with bark. It was in this age that the first seeds of grain were planted. A child was brought up at his good mother's side a hundred years, playing childishly in his own home. But when they were grown up, they lived only a little time, and that in sorrow because of their foolishness; for they could not keep from wronging one another, nor would they serve the immortals. This behaviour angered Zeus, and he put them away.
2nd APOCALYPSE - DESTRUCTION BY FIRE Zeus destroyed for their lack of maturity.
Bronze & Heroic Ages Third and Fourth Generation of Man
After the Silver Age came the Brazen race, of sterner disposition and more ready to use arms, but not yet impious. Zeus made this third generation of mortal men sprung from ash-trees.
This race—terrible and strong—was in no way equal to the race of the Silver Age. They loved war and all deeds of violence. They ate no bread, and their hearts were hard like adamant. The armour of these fearful men was of bronze, and so were their houses, along with all their implements, since there was no iron. These men, some say, were destroyed by their own hands, and perished leaving no trace. But others say that this generation was destroyed by The Flood in the time of Deucalion.
When the Bronze generation was extinguished, Zeus made yet another, the fourth, which was nobler and more righteous: a god-like race of heroes, called demigods. This is the race before our own.
Many among these men were destroyed by wars, like those that took place at Thebes and Troy.
But to some, Zeus granted an abode apart from other men, letting them dwell—untouched by sorrow—at the ends of earth, in Elysium or in the Islands of the Blest, where the earth bears grain and fruit thrice a year. Yet they live far from the gods, being ruled by Cronos, whom Zeus released from his chains.
3d APOCALYPSE - DESTRUCTION BY FLOOD AND WARS
The Iron Age Fifth Generation of Man
Zeus made yet a fifth generation of men, and with it began, after the Bronze & Heroic Ages, the Age of Iron. It is said that all evil burst forth into this baser age, which is our own:
Men never rest from labor and sorrow by day, and from perishing by night. Modesty, truth, and faith leave the earth, and in their place come tricks, plots, traps, violence, and unbridled love of profit. The ground, which had been common possession, is now neatly marked with boundary-lines. Men demand of the fields, not only the sustenance they provide with their surface, but also what is in the very bowels of the earth, bringing to light the wealth buried and hidden away by the gods.
Not only hard iron came with this age; but also gold, which is even worse than iron, and with both war came, and so men found it natural to live on plunder.
The guest cannot trust his host, and affection among brothers became rare. The husband started longing for the death of his wife, and she for the death of her husband. Piety was vanquished, and Astraea-the last of the immortals—left the earth.
Zeus will destroy this age for the father will not agree with his children, nor the children with their father, nor guest with his host, nor comrade with comrade, nor will brothers love each other as once they did. Men will dishonor their parents as they attain Old Age, without repaying them the cost of their nurture. Might shall be right, so that one man may sack another man's city. There will be no merit for the man who keeps his word, or for the just, or for the good; rather, men will praise the evil-doer and admire his audacity and violent dealings. Strength will be right, and respect will vanish as an empty word. Peace being banished, the MUSES will depart; therefore they will lead a life in ugliness. The wicked will hurt the worthy, speaking false words against them; therefore will Envy walk along with them. The gods will forsake mortal men, letting bitter sorrows fall upon them; and being defenseless like children in the wilderness, they will not find any help against all evil they themselves created.
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Although ancient Greeks believed that Zeus will also destroy this race of mortal men , the power of Zeus was diminished by lack of belief, therefore the threat of another apocalypse has yet to happen, at least in the Greek's point of view. Most Greeks are now Catholics so their view on this issue is a mixture of religion and ancient superstition based on the dogma of the Orthodox Greek Catholic religion and ancient mythological beliefs.
