The Hyborian Age

"The Hyborian Age" by Robert E. Howard is a fictional historical account composed in the early 20th century. This foundational work serves as the backdrop for Howard's renowned stories featuring the character Conan the Barbarian. The book presents an imaginative history of the Hyborian Age, detailing the rise and fall of various civilizations and the development of human cultures following a cataclysmic event that reshaped the world. The narrative describes a rich tapestry of civilizations, from the crumbling empires of the Thurian continent to the emergence of the Hyborian tribes, who dominate the western world with their conquests and cultural evolution. Howard outlines the various kingdoms, including Aquilonia, Nemedia, and Hyperborea, and situates them in a world populated by diverse races and religions. The text reveals how the struggle for power among the Hyborians, the Picts, the Atlanteans, and the Hyrkanians shapes their destinies, ultimately leading to cataclysms and the rise of new tribes. Through its detailed descriptions of geography, peoples, and their intertwined fates, "The Hyborian Age" establishes a mythology that continues to influence the fantasy genre.