The term Golden Age is a metaphor from Eastern and Greco-Roman myths of five eras of man, in which the first era of the "golden race" is very prosperous. From this periodization follows a Silver Age. The 18th century is sometimes referred as the Silver Age In the Netherlands. Other civilizations are also referred to with a golden age such as the Golden Age of Athens and the Islamic Golden Age. As a counterpart to a golden age, the term iron age is used for a period of misery and violence.

The Golden Age is a period of approximately 100 years of Dutch history that largely coincides with the 17th century. The Netherlands grew into one of the most important countries in the world. Antwerp enjoyed that too. It was a time when trade and the economy were doing well. Such Golden Age is not the same period for every region in the world. The northern Netherlands, which together formed the Dutch Republic (or the United Provinces of the Netherlands), flourished in the fields of trade, science and arts. Although there was also war and slavery. The republic also occupied a leading position in the world with regard to its political and military power, particularly at sea. The heyday of the northern Netherlands, expressed in the metaphor of the golden age, is an important new phase in the development of the Western civilization. The metaphor only originated in the 19th century.

The Renaissance arose after the Middle Ages. People started to think differently about life, like science and faith. In Germany the Reformation started, which led to a separation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestants This conflict spread to neighboring countries. This posed a problem for the Spanish King Philip II, who ruled the Netherlands. The Netherlands wanted to become independent, which led to the Eighty Year’s War.

The starting point varies from 1602, the year in which the United East Indian Company (= Dutch East India Company) was founded, to 1609, the beginning of the Twelve Years' Truce. The economy grew almost unhindered, until the stock came to an end in 1621. Some sectors stagnated during the Thirty Years' War (conflict in Central Europe amongst other countries), that coincided with the second half of the Eighty Years' War, a war against Phillip II of Spain after the founding of the Dutch Republic. The economy picked up again after 1648. These were very successful years for the industry. After the disaster Year of 1672, the start of the Dutch War (1672-1679) against invading France), a period of relative economic decline followed and the Golden Age had passed its peak. Consolidation followed afterwards.

Sometimes the Golden Age of the Netherlands is divided into periods, the Early Golden Age (1588 to 1647) and the Late Golden Age (1647 to 1702). But opinions are divided on this subject. The name sounds positive, but because of the differences between rich and poor, many people lived in poverty. Trade was an important form of income. Certainly in the textile sector, with the rise of linen, Flanders also had a golden age.