Hesiod was composing poetry at around the same time as Homer. His Works and Days had a salutary cooling influence on Dad’s enthusiasm for iron and, more generally, technology: I wish I did not have to live among the people of the Fifth Age [the Iron Age], but either had died earlier or been born later. For now truly is a generation of iron who never rest from labour and sorrow by day or from perishing by night…But, notwithstanding the good mingled with their evils…[this generation] will know no favour for those who keep their oath or for the just or for the good…strength shall be right…the
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