How did Giambattista Vico describe the age of heroes?

In his philosophy of history, Giambattista Vico described the "age of heroes" as a specific stage in the development of human societies.1

According to Vico, this era emerged as a consequence of alliances formed by family leaders seeking protection against both internal dissent and external attacks. During this stage, society became rigidly structured, characterized by a clear division between patricians and plebeians. This period followed the "age of the gods"—a time defined by fear of the supernatural—and preceded the "age of men," which was marked by class conflict and the eventual pursuit of equal rights.12