Believe me, that was a happy age, before the days of architects, before the days of builders

Believe me, that was a happy age, before the days of architects, before the days of builders

Lucius Annaeus Seneca, a Roman philosopher, playwright, and statesman, lived during a time when the world was undergoing significant changes. The quote "Believe me, that was a happy age, before the days of architects, before the days of builders" reflects Seneca's belief that simplicity and natural beauty were more valued in the past than the grandeur and extravagance of his own time.

Seneca was a Stoic philosopher who believed in living a simple and virtuous life in harmony with nature. He often criticized the excesses and materialism of Roman society, which he believed led to moral decay and spiritual emptiness. In his writings, Seneca frequently extolled the virtues of simplicity, moderation, and self-control, and he warned against the dangers of wealth, power, and luxury.

The quote can be interpreted as Seneca's lament for a time when people lived closer to nature and were more in tune with the rhythms of the natural world. In the ancient world, before the days of architects and builders, people lived in harmony with the land, building simple homes and structures that blended seamlessly with their surroundings. There was a sense of unity and balance between humanity and the natural world, and people lived in a state of contentment and peace.

Seneca believed that the rise of architecture and construction had led to a disconnect between humanity and nature, as people became more focused on creating elaborate and artificial structures that overshadowed the beauty of the natural world. He saw the proliferation of grand buildings and monuments as a symbol of human arrogance and hubris, a misguided attempt to assert control over the natural world and elevate oneself above it.