How did Joachim of Fiore divide history into three spiritual ages?

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millennialism Vision of the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven, from the Bamberg Apocalypse, c. 1000–20; in the Bamberg State Library, Germany (MS. 140).

Joachim of Fiore, an Italian theologian and mystic, developed a trinitarian philosophy of history that organized human existence into three progressive ages, or status, corresponding to the Persons of the Trinity:1

The Age of the Father: Associated with the Old Testament, this period represents the beginning of history.1
The Age of the Son: Corresponding to the New Testament, this era follows the first and represents a further stage of spiritual development.1
The Age of the Holy Spirit: Joachim envisioned this as the final, culminating age of history. He believed this period would be characterized by a higher level of spiritual understanding and would proceed from the previous two dispensations.1

Joachim taught that the church would reach this final age only after enduring great tribulation and an arduous pilgrimage. He prophesied that this era would be led by new orders of spiritual men, focusing on a contemplative life that would ultimately be accessible to both clergy and laypeople.1