How did Giambattista Vico describe the age of men?

Giambattista Vico described the "age of men" as the final stage in the development of human societies, emerging as a result of class conflict in which plebeians achieved equal rights.1

In this stage, human consciousness is characterized by rational speculation, the use of prose as the primary form of expression, and the inevitable trope of irony. However, Vico noted that this era is inherently precarious; it faces significant challenges, including corruption, dissolution, and the potential for a "second barbarism" caused by an excess of reflection or a preoccupation with materialist ideology.231

Vico warned that if the moral pillars of society—such as piety and modesty—crumble, humanity risks a descent back into a bestial state. He believed that Providence plays a vital role in guiding history to prevent humanity from being completely consumed by these cycles of decay.1