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 Hey,
I am studying class civ at A-level and am thouroughly enjoying it. Durning a duscussion with my teacher she told me that Zeus feared the third generation. After thinking about this I became intreuged. I was wondering if you knew who the third generation might be? The next generation of Gods who would overthrow him as he overthrew chronos? I originally thought it might be a person who's parents were a demi god (half son of a god and a mortal) and a full god; but this seems to have already happened. For that matter I was wonderign if you could shed some light on what makes a child a god, jupiter had a child by a half god (maia) to create Hermes didnt he? so why didnt his child with her sister electra create a god (Iasius seems to just be a king)? Im pretty confused by the whole thing so I apoligide if my question is a muddle. Any thoughts would be appreciated =)
Answer Russell,
No apologies needed...no question is muddled, just unclear.
It was not the fear of being overthrown but the fear of being totally forgotten that worried Zeus.
In his Works and Days, the Boeotian poet Hesiod described the Ages of Man:
1. The Golden Age, beginning with and taking place during the rule of Chronos. Men lived among the gods, and freely mingled with them. Peace and harmony prevailed during this age. Humans did not grow old, but died peacefully. Spring was eternal and people were fed on acorns from a great oak as well as wild fruits and honey that dripped from the trees. Humanity during this age was pious and honored the ancient gods in every way, thus they lived happily until they died out.
2. The Silver Age, beginning with the birth of Apollo and the rule of Zeus- These people lived for one hundred years as children without growing up, then they suddenly aged and died. In their old age their piety becasem fragile and honring the gods was no longer important. Zeus destroyed these people because of their impiety.
3. Bronze Age or Brazen Age, beginning with the Ogygian Deluge - These humans were fierce and warlike and their tools and implements were made of bronze. They destroyed one another in wars and their piety became a thing of rarity.
4. The Iron Age, beginning with the Dorian invasion - This is the current and last age in which humans must struggle to stay alive, when the world is full of pain, discontent and vice. Zeus will someday destroy this race of humans.
This is among others comparable to Hinduism's Kali Yuga or the Judeo-Christian End Times.
This last age – the Third generation of man – was the one feared by Zeus because he [Zeus} felt that this generation would lose their fear of the gods and in time forget about them…..... to be lost and forgotten through indifference was what Zeus feared the most.
During this last age 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.
It is this age of complete dishonor to the ancient Gods that we are now still experiencing.
