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The Hyborian Age

Written by Robert E. (Robert Ervin) Howard

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Conan (Fictitious character)Fantasy fiction, American

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About this book

"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.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Hyborian Age, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 3 hours
  • intermediate
  • epic
  • ancient
  • brutal

Robert E. Howard's "The Hyborian Age" is a meticulously crafted pseudo-historical treatise that lays the foundational mythology for his Conan the Barbarian stories. It chronicles the vast sweep of human history following a cataclysmic event, detailing the rise and fall of numerous civilizations and the relentless march of cultural evolution across the Thurian continent. The narrative meticulously outlines the geographical shifts, the migrations of peoples, and the complex interplay of power among diverse tribes and kingdoms, from the ancient Atlanteans and Lemurians to the ascendant Hyborians. This seminal work establishes a rich, brutal, and cyclical vision of history, where empires inevitably crumble, and new, often more primitive, forces rise to reshape the world, profoundly influencing the fantasy genre's approach to world-building.

“Of that epoch known to myth and legend as the Hyborian Age, little is known save the fabulous tales of the bards, and the scant histories of the chroniclers of the Hyborian kingdoms.”

Key themes

The Cyclical Nature of History
Howard's most pervasive theme is that history is not linear but cyclical. Civilizations rise, reach a zenith of power and sophistication, then inevitably decline into decadence or are overthrown by more primitive, virile forces. This process often culminates in a cataclysm or a 'Dark Age,' from which new civilizations eventually emerge to repeat the pattern. No empire's glory is eternal, and the past is constantly being forgotten or reinterpreted.
Civilization vs. Savagery
A core tension throughout the text is the dichotomy between 'civilization' and 'savagery.' Howard often portrays civilization as a double-edged sword: while it brings order, art, and complex societies, it also breeds decadence, corruption, and weakness. Savagery, conversely, is raw, brutal, and often destructive, but also embodies vitality, strength, and a closer connection to nature. The narrative frequently shows 'civilized' peoples being overthrown or reinvigorated by 'barbarian' forces, suggesting a complex, often paradoxical relationship between the two states.
The Power of Geography and Environment
The physical landscape and environmental changes play a crucial, almost character-like role in shaping the destinies of peoples. Cataclysms, glacial melts, and shifting continents directly dictate migrations, the rise and fall of empires, and the very nature of the peoples who inhabit different regions. Geography is not merely a backdrop but an active force, influencing culture, warfare, and survival. Peoples are intrinsically tied to their lands.

Worth discussing

How does Howard's concept of cyclical history in 'The Hyborian Age' reflect or diverge from real-world historical theories?

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