Question

What does the author mean with the phrase “we are the heirs of the ages...”?

Answer 1

Meaning by that they are the lords/guardians sons or daughters of the time being.

Answer 2

An heir is one who is destined to receive an inheritance, estate, or something of importance from family or close friends.  It can also mean continuing the legacy.  Ages would be of the same time period or past years.  To say "we are the heirs of ages..." would mean we are the ones to benefit or gain importance of the current time period or that of the time around them, or we are to continue the legacy of our time.  Use this information when reading the passage to help determine the author's meaning.