GREECE -- AGES OF MAN

There were five ages of man before our known human race came to populate the earth.

The first was the Golden Age, in which man was happy and knew no greed or suffering. Man did not have to work for or earn a living. This age ended when men emulated the gods' behaviour and became arrogant and contemptuous.

Second was the Silver Age, in which man first reaped harvests and began to work for their food. Men lived until they were a hundred years old and were always dependent on their mothers. They complained about everything and picked fights with one another constantly. Zeus became sick of this race of men and destroyed them.

Next came the first Bronze Age, in which man dropped from ash trees like seeds. They ate meat and bread and were much more useful than the men from the previous age. They enjoyed war greatly, however, and eventually killed each other off.

Then came the second Bronze Age, described as The Age of Heroes. These people had human mothers and their fathers were gods. Hercules lived in this age. It was also the age in which the siege of Troy occured. Men fought valiantly and lived fruitful, honourable lives. When they died, they went to the wonderful Elysian Fields.

The Iron Age is the current one which we know. Men are rude, greedy, unhappy and selfish. We know stress and problems and must work hard for a living. However, we have not been completely wiped out by any gods because there are still some virtuous people left among us.