The Age of Louis XIV Author:Will Durant Part of Series: The Story of Civilization. The biography of a period (1648-1715) considered the apex of modern European civilization. Authors treated: Pascal, Fenelon, Racine, Boileau, Mme. de Sevigne, Mme. de La Lafayette, Moliere. Character study of the "Sun King" runs through seven chapters: his reign and his love affairs.