Quote Originally Posted by KariTheFox View Post
My reading of the 'test' that Hermes gave was that it wasn't meant to be the kind of test you are given to pass or fail - but a scientific test, the same kind as he gave the creations of Elpis before either destroying them or letting them become part of Ethyris's ecosystem.

In that kind of test, it's important that the subjects do not know they are being tested for the purposes of scientific accuracy. He's trying to apply the same principles to mankind that he applies to the creations in Elpis, he even says as much. With the parameters being if mankind can survive the Final Days, they deserve to live, if they can't, then they should be unmade like all other failed creations. (is it messed up to do that? absolutely. not trying to argue the validity of his test, just the nature of it)
In that case then the ancients passed the test since they did survive the final days.