World Epic Poetry: Epic of Gilgamesh, Mahabharata, Homeric Epics & Dante's Divine Comedy
Encyclopedia/4. Arts & Literature/1. Literature, Mythology & Folklore/01. Classical & Ancient Literature • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
World epic poetry includes grand narrative masterpieces from diverse cultures, spanning from the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh to Dante's Divine Comedy, reflecting universal themes of heroism, divinity, and human struggle.
Chronological Storyline (45 Milestones)
2100 BCE
Earliest Gilgamesh Tablets
Sumerian poems about Gilgamesh are inscribed on clay tablets, forming the earliest known epic literature. #epic #mesopotamia
The Akkadian version of the Epic of Gilgamesh is compiled, including the flood story. #epic #literature
1500 BCE
Rigveda Hymns
The Rigveda, containing hymns and epic-like narratives, is composed in ancient India. #epic #vedic
Rigveda Hymns By Unknown author - http://www.nb.no/baser/schoyen/5/5.20/ms2097.jpg[dead link], Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=103513
1500 BCE
Early Mahabharata Composition
The core of the Mahabharata, the world's longest epic, begins oral composition in ancient India. #epic #india
Early Mahabharata Composition By Unknown author - http://www.atributetohinduism.com/Hindu_Scriptures.htm, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=619546
1000 BCE
Standard Babylonian Gilgamesh
Sin-liqe-unninni compiles the standard Akkadian version of the Epic of Gilgamesh on twelve tablets. #epic #mesopotamia
800 BCE
Homer Composes the Iliad
The Iliad, set during the Trojan War, is composed orally by Homer, becoming a cornerstone of Western epic. #epic #greece
Homer Composes the Iliad By Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg) - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=105002189
750 BCE
Homer Composes the Odyssey
The Odyssey, following Odysseus's journey home, is composed, influencing countless later epics. #epic #greece
Homer Composes the Odyssey By Zunkir - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=152028761
700 BCE
Hesiod's Theogony
Hesiod writes the Theogony, a genealogical epic of the Greek gods, foundational for mythological literature. #epic #mythology
Hesiod's Theogony By Hesiod - 2d copy, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48537411
500 BCE
Aeschylus's Oresteia
Aeschylus writes the Oresteia, a trilogy of plays using epic themes from the Trojan War. #epic #drama
Aeschylus's Oresteia By Marijan Pal - http://repertoar.sigledal.org/predmet/img:55ce101020d52, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83944245
500 BCE
Mahabharata Takes Written Form
The Mahabharata is committed to writing in Sanskrit, expanding with the Bhagavad Gita and many tales. #epic #india
400 BCE
Ramayana by Valmiki
Valmiki composes the Ramayana, the ancient Indian epic of Prince Rama's quest to rescue Sita. #epic #india
Ramayana by Valmiki By Scribes and painters employed by the Kingdom of Mewar. - The Mewar Rāmāyaṇa, British Library., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=130417975
300 BCE
Argonautica by Apollonius
Apollonius of Rhodes writes the Argonautica, a Hellenistic Greek epic of Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece. #epic #greece
Argonautica by Apollonius By Charles de La Fosse - Photograph: Own work, 25 March 2011, 12:04:33, Coyau, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14842675
200 BCE
Bhagavad Gita Incorporated
The Bhagavad Gita, a philosophical dialogue within the Mahabharata, is composed, influencing Hindu thought. #epic #philosophy
Bhagavad Gita Incorporated By Unknown artist - https://www.bl.uk/britishlibrary/~/media/bl/global/dst%20discovering%20sacred%20texts/collection%20items/bhagavad-gita-19th-century-or_13758_f012r.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=94903279
19 BCE
Virgil's Aeneid
Virgil completes the Aeneid, a Latin epic chronicling Aeneas's journey and Rome's founding. #epic #rome
Virgil's Aeneid By Federico Barocci - Web Gallery of Art, Uploaded to en.wikipedia 03:45 28 Jul 2004 by en:User:Wetman., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=109125
1 CE
Kumarasambhava by Kalidasa
Kalidasa composes Kumarasambhava, an epic poem about the birth of Kartikeya. #epic #sanskrit
Kumarasambhava by Kalidasa By Raja Ravi Varma - C. Cunniah & co. Glass Merchants 248-249 Devaraja Mudaly Street Madras.(Ravi Varma Press, Karla Lonavla), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13277149
8 CE
Ovid's Metamorphoses
Ovid's Metamorphoses, a Latin narrative poem of mythological transformations, becomes a major source for later epics. #epic #mythology
Ovid's Metamorphoses By Ovidius Naso, Publius - Available in the BEIC digital library and uploaded in partnership with BEIC Foundation., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39705018
200 CE
Silappadikaram Composed
The Tamil epic Silappadikaram by Ilango Adigal is written, focusing on Kannagi's story. #epic #tamil
300 CE
Manimekalai Written
The Buddhist Tamil epic Manimekalai, a sequel to Silappadikaram, is composed by Sittalai Sattanar. #epic #buddhism
550 CE
Matsya Purana
The Matsya Purana, an encyclopedic epic-like text, is compiled in India. #epic #puranas
Matsya Purana By Ms Sarah Welch - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=73934943
600 CE
Beowulf Composed
The Old English epic Beowulf is composed orally, later written down, telling of a Geatish hero's battles. #epic #anglosaxon
Beowulf Composed By anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet - This file has been provided by the British Library from its digital collections. Links to the British Library's website may be broken as the library recovers from a October 2023 cyber attack, and will be updated once material becomes accessible online. For more information on the attack see: https://www.bl.uk/about/cyber-attack It is also made available on a British Library website. Catalogue entry: Cotton MS Vitellius A XV, ff 94r–209v, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30380424
700 CE
Câd Goddeu
The Welsh epic poem Cad Goddeu (The Battle of the Trees) is composed, part of the Mabinogion. #epic #wales
Câd Goddeu By medieval scribe - William Forbes Skene, The Four Ancient Books of Wales. Vol. 2. 1868. Following page 108, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4812690
700 CE
Epic of King Gesar Begins Oral Tradition
The Tibetan Epic of King Gesar, one of the world's longest oral epics, begins to be performed. #epic #tibet
Epic of King Gesar Begins Oral Tradition By Gruschke Anonymer tibetischer Maler - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4481610
750 CE
Matsya Avatara of Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is further revised, incorporating the Harivamsa and puranic material. #epic #india
800 CE
Kālidāsa's Raghuvamsa
Kālidāsa writes the Raghuvamsa, a Sanskrit epic about the Raghu dynasty, including Rama's ancestors. #epic #sanskrit
900 CE
Muspilli
The Old High German epic Muspilli, a Christian apocalyptic poem, is composed. #epic #german
Muspilli By unknown monch from the 9th century - http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bild:Muspilli.jpg ,originally uploaded at de.wikipedia by User:Sigune, uploaded at commons by User:el_bes, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2996076
1000 CE
Ferdowsi's Shahnameh
Ferdowsi completes the Shahnameh, the Persian national epic of mythic and historical kings. #epic #persia
Ferdowsi's Shahnameh By Attributed to Sultan Muhammad - Transferred from ru.wikipedia to Commons. Original uploader was Евгений Ардаев at ru.wikipedia (28 August 2008 (first version); 28 August 2008 (last version)), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=139263041
1000 CE
Waltharius
The Latin epic Waltharius, about Walter of Aquitaine, is composed in Germany. #epic #medieval
Waltharius By Original uploader was Berig at en.wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3732468
1010 CE
Shahnameh Presented to Sultan Mahmud
Ferdowsi presents the Shahnameh to Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni, though it garners little reward. #epic #persia
1100 CE
Kudrun
The Middle High German epic Kudrun is composed, a counterpart to the Nibelungenlied. #epic #german
Kudrun By Unknown author - http://archiv.onb.ac.at:1801/view/action/nmets.do?DOCCHOICE=3332756.xml&dvs=1526821588258~974&locale=en_US&search_terms=&adjacency=&VIEWER_URL=/view/action/nmets.do?&DELIVERY_RULE_ID=1&divType=, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=69304685
1100 CE
Song of Roland Composed
The Old French chanson de geste Song of Roland, about Charlemagne's knight, is written. #epic #france
Song of Roland Composed By Simon Marmion - Grandes Chroniques de France, St. Petersburg, Ms. Hermitage. fr. 88: (Niederl. Burgund, Mitte 15. Jh., Exemplar Philipps des Guten), folio. 154v, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1913372
1150 CE
El Cid Composed
The Spanish epic Cantar de mio Cid is composed, narrating the exploits of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar. #epic #spain
El Cid Composed By Per Abbat (copista) - http://www.laits.utexas.edu/cid/mo/jpg/01r.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2944922
1180 CE
Chanson d'Antioche
The Old French crusade epic Chanson d'Antioche is composed, depicting the First Crusade. #epic #crusades
Chanson d'Antioche By AnonymousUnknown author - http://visualiseur.bnf.fr/ConsulterElementNum?O=IFN-08100461&E=JPEG&Deb=56&Fin=56&Param=C, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9926875
1200 CE
Roman de la Rose
The French allegorical epic Roman de la Rose is begun by Guillaume de Lorris. #epic #france
Roman de la Rose By Guillaume de Lorris, Jean de Meun (Meung), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12768822
1200 CE
Nibelungenlied Written
The Middle High German epic Nibelungenlied is written, based on Germanic legends. #epic #german
Nibelungenlied Written By Unknown author - https://digital.blb-karlsruhe.de/738115, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=331211
1210 CE
Parzival by Wolfram von Eschenbach
Wolfram von Eschenbach completes Parzival, a German epic of the Holy Grail quest. #epic #arthurian
Parzival by Wolfram von Eschenbach By Wolfram von Eschenbach; Werkstatt Diebold Lauber in Hagenau - Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg, Cod. Pal. germ. 339, I. Buch, Blatt 135r - Spätmittelalterliche Bilderhandschriften aus der Bibliotheca Palatina - digital, Kooperationsprojekt der Universitätsbibliothek und des Kunsthistorischen Instituts der Universität Heidelberg., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=891459
1225 CE
The Tale of the Heike Oral Tradition
The Japanese war epic The Tale of the Heike is performed by biwa priests, recounting the Genpei War. #epic #japan
The Tale of the Heike Oral Tradition By Unknown artist of the Kano school - Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture, ArtDaily.com, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26527740
1240 CE
Epic of Sundiata
The oral Epic of Sundiata, about the founder of the Mali Empire, is performed by griots. #epic #africa
Epic of Sundiata By Franko Khoury - http://africa.si.edu/exhibits/resources/mali/works.htm, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10554649
1250 CE
Saga of the Volsungs
The Icelandic Völsunga saga, a prose epic of Germanic legend, is written. #epic #norse
Saga of the Volsungs By Original jpeg uploaded to Commons from the Swedish Wikipedia by Gizmo II Converted to png and edited by Liquid 2003 Png version vectorised by Editor at Large - From the Nordisk familjebok, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1723552
1265 CE
Dante's Early Works
Dante Alighieri begins writing poems that will later influence the Divine Comedy, including the Vita Nuova. #epic #italy
Dante's Early Works By Wolfgang Sauber - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20888556
1270 CE
Poetic Edda Compiled
The Poetic Edda, a collection of Old Norse poems on gods and heroes, is written down in Iceland. #epic #norse
Poetic Edda Compiled By W. G. Collingwood (1854-1932) - The Elder or Poetic Edda; commonly known as Sæmund's Edda. Edited and translated with introduction and notes by Olive Bray. Illustrated by W. G. Collingwood (1908) Page 1. Digitized by the Internet Archive and available from https://archive.org/details/elderorpoeticedd01brayuoft This image was made from the JPEG 2000 image of the relevant page via image processing (crop, rotate, color-levels, mode) with the GIMP by User:Haukurth. The image processing is probably not eligible for copyright but in case it is User:Haukurth releases his modified version into the public domain., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4657633
1280 CE
The Divine Comedy: Inferno
Dante begins writing the Inferno, the first part of the Divine Comedy, depicting his journey through Hell. #epic #poetry
The Divine Comedy: Inferno By Domenico di Michelino / After Alesso Baldovinetti - https://twitter.com/museofirenze/status/1075345296048181248 This is a retouched picture, which means that it has been digitally altered from its original version. Modifications: brightened image., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=133465311
1300 CE
Divine Comedy: Purgatorio
Dante completes the Purgatorio, the second canticle of the Divine Comedy, exploring Mount Purgatory. #epic #poetry
1300 CE
Chaucer's Early Works
Geoffrey Chaucer begins writing epic-influenced poetry, precursor to The Canterbury Tales. #epic #english
Chaucer's Early Works By Unknown author - http://www.courses.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/canttales/sirthop/hoccport.htm, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47359536
1320 CE
Dante Completes Paradiso
Dante finishes the Paradiso, the final part of the Divine Comedy, describing his vision of Heaven. #epic #poetry
1321 CE
Dante's Death
Dante Alighieri dies shortly after completing the Divine Comedy, which becomes a cornerstone of world literature. #epic #italy
