We explain what an era is and how extensive it can be. In addition, we tell you what its meaning is in history, in geology and in other contexts.
What is an era?
“Epoca” is a word used to identify a period of time that is characterized by its relationship to an event or a stage in history. It is also used in geology as a subdivision of another larger period of time called an “era.”
An era is directly related to something that characterizes it. For example, we speak of the “colonial era” to refer to the historical context of life in America under the rule of the European colonial empires.
An epoch can cover an indeterminate period of time. This means that the word does not establish a fixed amount of time and, on many occasions, it does not identify events that give it a precise beginning or end.
This term can also be used in relation to certain events in a general way. For example, we can talk about “Christmas season” to describe a cultural climate in relation to that time of year. Or also “election time” to talk about the social environment prior to holding electoral events.
The word era comes from Latin epocham which, in turn, comes from the Greek term epokhé. This word was used to describe a moment in time that was marked by an important event or a strong astrological influence.
See also: Historical context
Historical era
When referring to an era in history, the term “epoch” refers to a period of time that is linked to something specific in the past. This can be both a particular process such as the influence of a historical figure or a specific stage in time.
On some occasions, the word epoch is used in relation to a precise historical process. For example, we speak of the “epoch of the conquest” to refer to the time in which the Spanish conquerors subjugated the different Native American populations.
In that case, the era is marked by the different situations that were experienced in that context: the Spanish exploration campaigns, the wars of Spanish conquest, the indigenous resistance movements and the occupation of territories by the conquerors.
The word era can also be linked to the mandate of a ruler who was especially important in his territory or a person had great influence on the culture of his time. For example, the term “Victorian era” is used to talk about the historical context of the United Kingdom during the rule of Queen Victoria I (1837-1901). There is also talk of the “age of Aristotle” to refer to the culture of ancient Greece during the life of this important philosopher.
Another possible use is in reference to a specific period of time. For example, we say “medieval times” to talk about life in Europe during the Middle Ages (476-1453 AD). Or also, “epoch of Enlightenment” to refer to the historical context in which this cultural movement appeared (18th and 19th centuries).
A period of European history located between 1870 and 1914 is known as Belle Époque (“beautiful era”). It was a time marked by the cultural transformations generated by the development of capitalism and industrialization.
See more: Ages of history
geological epoch
In geology studies (the science that studies the composition of the Earth), the word epoch has a different meaning. Geology divides Earth's history into “eras” that comprise “periods” which, in turn, are subdivided into “epochs.”
Geological epochs are defined by the identification of different strata in the earth's layers that indicate the transition of geological processes (such as continental drift or basin sedimentation) or the abundance and decline of living species.
The history of the planet spans billions of years, so the time spans of eras, periods and epochs are extremely long. A geological epoch can span between 10 and 35 million years.
What is something “period”?
On some occasions, the expression “period” is used colloquially to refer to a narrative work in which life in the past is described in a general way. For example, a “period film” or a “period novel” are set at some historical moment in the past.
Era in astronomy: The term refers to a specific date on which a star is located in certain celestial coordinates. When you want to find the position of a star in the sky, you calculate that location in relation to a precise date. This date is called the “coordinate epoch.”
References
- Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia (2023). «Epoch». Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/
- González, MP and Massone, M. (2002). “The work of historical reconstruction.” Societies. Vicens Vives.
- Marquez, M and Cassano, K. (2010). Social Sciences 1. Cassava.
