heroic age: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2 / Low-frequency Academic/LiteraryFormal, Literary, Academic (History, Classics, Cultural Studies)
Quick answer
What does “heroic age” mean?
A period in the early history or mythology of a nation or culture, characterized by legendary heroes, great deeds, and foundational events, often imbued with epic and semi-mythical qualities.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A period in the early history or mythology of a nation or culture, characterized by legendary heroes, great deeds, and foundational events, often imbued with epic and semi-mythical qualities.
By extension, any period marked by outstanding achievements, bold innovation, or pioneering efforts, often viewed nostalgically as a golden era.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Slightly more common in British academic writing on classical history, but used equivalently in US contexts.
Connotations
Both associate it with classical antiquity (Greek/Roman) or national founding myths (e.g., Viking age, Arthurian legends).
Frequency
Low frequency in general use, higher in specialized humanities discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “heroic age” in a Sentence
[The/Heroic Age] of [Greece/exploration]in/during the Heroic Agebelonging to a Heroic Agethe end of the Heroic AgeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “heroic age” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Scholars debate the historicity of the Homeric Heroic Age.
- The Arthurian legends are Britain's native heroic age.
American English
- The exploration of the American West is sometimes romanticized as a heroic age.
- The article examined the heroic age of jazz in the 1920s.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Metaphorical: 'The heroic age of Silicon Valley start-ups is over.'
Academic
Common. Refers to specific historical periods, e.g., 'The Greek Heroic Age as depicted in Homeric epics.'
Everyday
Very rare. Used metaphorically or humorously: 'Grandad talks about the heroic age of rock 'n' roll.'
Technical
Used in archaeology/history to denote a pre-literate period memorialized in later epic poetry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “heroic age”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “heroic age”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “heroic age”
- Using it to describe any brave act (e.g., *'His rescue was a heroic age moment' – incorrect).
- Confusing it with 'Iron Age' or 'Bronze Age' (which are archaeological, not literary terms).
- Capitalization inconsistency: 'Heroic Age' is often capitalized when referring to a specific historical period.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a literary and mythological construct. While it may reference a real historical era (e.g., the Late Bronze Age for Greece), its details are filtered through epic poetry and legend, blending history with myth.
Yes, but only metaphorically. It is used to describe the early, formative, and often romantically viewed period of a modern field (e.g., 'the heroic age of space exploration' in the 1960s).
A 'golden age' implies peak prosperity, peace, and cultural achievement. A 'heroic age' emphasizes struggle, adventure, foundational deeds, and often war. A golden age may follow a heroic age.
When referring to a specific, named period (e.g., the Greek Heroic Age), capitalization is standard. When used generically or metaphorically ('a heroic age of medicine'), lower case is common.
A period in the early history or mythology of a nation or culture, characterized by legendary heroes, great deeds, and foundational events, often imbued with epic and semi-mythical qualities.
Heroic age is usually formal, literary, academic (history, classics, cultural studies) in register.
Heroic age: in British English it is pronounced /hɪˈrəʊ.ɪk eɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /həˈroʊ.ɪk eɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A veritable heroic age of discovery”
- “The last hero of a bygone heroic age”
- “To usher in a new heroic age”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of HEROES in old AGEs – HEROIC AGE. Link to Hercules (a hero) and an ancient vase (age).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE PAST IS A STORYBOOK (where the 'heroic age' is a foundational chapter). NATION/FIELD AS A PERSON (with a youthful, heroic phase).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'heroic age' LEAST likely to be used accurately?