When does the silver age of literature occur?

The silver age of literature is understood to occur after the golden age, typically regarded as a time that begins in the late first century AD and extends into the second century AD. This period follows the prolific and pioneering works produced during the golden age, characterized by authors such as Virgil and Horace, and sets the stage for a different tone and style in literary expression.

During the silver age, literature reflects a shift in themes and an adaptation to a changing social and political landscape, often seen as less vibrant compared to the previous golden age, yet still significant in its own right with notable figures emerging, like Tacitus and Juvenal.

The other options do not accurately capture the timeline established by these historical literary periods. The concurrent presence of the silver age with the golden age would misinterpret the progression of literary movements. Placing it before the golden age neglects the chronological order of these distinct phases, and suggesting it occurs during the Middle Ages conflates separate literary periods that are geographically and culturally distinct. Thus, the identification of the silver age as following the golden age until the Christian period is essential for understanding the evolution of literature in the context of Roman history.