Why is the concept of a 'lost golden age ruled by gods' so appealing across different cultures and historical periods?

Ah, this is such a great question! It's practically a "master narrative" hardwired into human DNA. Think about it: from Hesiod in ancient Greece, to the "Three Dynasties Era" (San Dai Zhi Zhi) revered by Laozi and Confucius in China, to the Garden of Eden in the Bible, and even the long-lost advanced civilizations mentioned in modern sci-fi – this concept of a "lost Golden Age" is absolutely everywhere.

Why is it so compelling? Let's break it down in plain language from a few angles.

1. The Ultimate Antidote to Dissatisfaction with the "Present"

This is probably the most direct and core reason.

What's real life like? Pretty exhausting, right? We have to work, pay mortgages, get sick, argue, and the world is full of wars, famines, and all kinds of injustice. In short, the real world is full of "imperfection."

At this point, the "lost Golden Age" becomes the perfect spiritual refuge. It depicts a world:

• No Toil: The land yields fruit by itself; people don't have to work up a sweat.
• No Suffering: People don't get sick, don't even age, living as long as gods (like those kings in the Sumerian King List who supposedly ruled for tens of thousands of years).
• Absolute Justice: Ruled by "gods," so there's no corruption, no favoritism, no foolish laws. Everything is perfectly ordered and harmonious.
• Wisdom and Peace: People possess higher wisdom, can communicate directly with nature and the gods, with no conflict or war.

Isn't this the exact opposite of all our dissatisfaction with reality? It's like a spiritual "Utopia," a sanctuary for the soul. When we feel weary and disappointed by reality, imagining that perfect world offers immense comfort.

2. Provides a Noble Answer to "Who We Are, Where We Came From"

Everyone wonders: How did we humans actually come to be? What is the meaning of our existence?

The "Golden Age" myth offers a highly attractive answer: We are the "fallen" descendants, but our ancestors were once glorious!

• Divine Lineage: This story tells us that human origins are intimately linked to the "gods." We aren't just monkeys that appeared out of nowhere; we are divine creations, even possessing divine blood (like in the Anunnaki myths, where humans were created by gods to serve them). This gives humanity an innate sense of "nobility."
• Explains the "Fall": This myth also perfectly explains why we are so "wretched" now. Because we made mistakes (like eating the forbidden fruit), became arrogant (like building the Tower of Babel), or the gods abandoned us. This provides a simple, understandable "narrative reason" for worldly suffering, rather than just "random, meaningless bad luck."

You see, this story simultaneously satisfies our longing for a "noble origin" and explains the "suffering of reality."

3. It's a "Legitimizing Source" for Power and Order

This point is particularly important in politics and religion.

How does a king or priest prove that his rule over you is "ordained"? One of the most effective ways is to claim: "I am the inheritor of that Golden Age, or, I am the agent of the gods; my mission is to lead you back to that glorious era."

• Ancient Emperors: Chinese emperors called themselves the "Son of Heaven" (Tianzi), claiming their rule was "by the Mandate of Heaven" (Feng Tian Cheng Yun), aiming to restore the ideal society of the Yao, Shun, and Yu era. Ancient Egyptian pharaohs were literally gods incarnate on earth.
• The Sumerian King List: This example is particularly classic. The list begins with "Kingship descended from heaven," followed by a series of incredibly long-lived monarchs from the "Age of the Gods." This essentially told the people: Look, our current kingship traces its origin back to that era of direct divine rule; it is sacred and inviolable.
• Religious Groups: Many founders or leaders of religions claimed to have received divine revelation to rebuild divine order on this "fallen" land.

By binding themselves to that perfect "source," real-world rulers cloak their power in an aura of sanctity and unquestionable legitimacy.

4. It Gives Us Hope for the "Future"

The "lost Golden Age" isn't just about the past; it's also about the future.

The logic is simple: If such a wonderful world once existed, then it could potentially exist again.

This concept evolved into the "Messianic complex" or "savior" idea in various cultures.

• Religious "End Times" and "Kingdom of Heaven": Many religions prophesy that after a period of great darkness (like the current "Age of Dharma Decline" or "Iron Age"), God or a savior will return, purge all evil, and lead the faithful into a new "Golden Age" – namely, "Heaven."
• Secular "Utopian" Ideals: Even in the modern secular world, this pattern persists. Aren't some political ideals also depicting a "future perfect society"? One without oppression, exploitation, with material abundance and high moral character for all. This is essentially the modern variant of the "Golden Age" myth.

Therefore, this story isn't just nostalgia; it's also a promise, a hope for the future. It gives us a reason and hope to persevere through suffering.

---

To Summarize

The concept of a "lost, divinely ruled Golden Age" is like a master key that simultaneously unlocks four fundamental human needs:

1. Emotionally, it consoles our dissatisfaction with reality.
2. Philosophically, it explains our origins and the root of suffering.
3. Politically, it legitimizes power.
4. Spiritually, it paints a picture of a future worth striving for.

It is such a powerful, complete, and self-consistent narrative model, perfectly fitting deep-seated human psychological needs. That's why, whether on ancient clay tablets or in modern movies, we are repeatedly and profoundly captivated by this ancient yet timeless story.