In the ages which have been foolishly designated as gold and silver men lived like the wild beasts; and from that state they have slowly reached the humanity of manners and the social order which prevail to-day.

[Footnote: Ib.p.

356.] Thus Bodin recognises a general progress in the past.

That is nothing new; it was the view, for instance, of the Epicureans.

But much had passed in the world since the philosophy of Epicurus was alive, and Bodin had to consider twelve hundred years of new vicissitudes.