100 Great Epics of the World
Kumar Paral is a writer, a culture enthusiast, and a bibliophile.
Top 100 Famous Epics of the World
This article ranks the greatest epics of the world based on their literary value, subject matter, importance, popularity and universal appeal. The list was prepared after a long research and cross-referencing with similar evaluations and earlier authentic studies. Please feel free to share your criticism and opinion by commenting below.
Homer
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1. The Iliad
Iliad is one of the most celebrated epics of the world. It is believed to be written by Homer in 9th century BC. Iliad means the tale of Ilios or the tale of troy. It is based on the legend of Trojan war and narrates the story of the Greek struggle to rescue Helen from Trojans, and subsequent destruction of Troy.
2.The Mahabharata
Mahabharata is one of the greatest Indian epics with more than100,000 Shloka or over 200,000 verse lines in Sanskrit. This longest epic poem of the world, compiled around 8th century BC, is ascribed Ved Vyasa. This epic poem shares a great message that seeds of wars and conflicts grow up in the mind of an individual due to envy, greed, passion, and intense desire, ends in great tragedies.
The Mahabharata
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3. The Aeneid
Aeneid is a great epic which is based on the legend of Aeneas. It is Roman nationalistic and patriotic epic poem which narrates evolution of great Roman Empire. This poem shows great dramatic skill of high order and power of description.
4. The Ramayana
Ramayana, is the oldest Indian epic, written in Sanskrit in 5th century BC, is ascribed to Valmiki. It has 2400 couplets in seven sections. Various versions of Ramayana exist in different parts of Southeast Asia. 'Ramayana' means journey of Rama, the God incarnated, through various trials and tribulations.
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5. The Odyssey
Odyssey is believed to be written in 9th century B.C by Homer, the great Greek poet. It describes the exploits of Odysseus during his homecoming after the fall of Troy. The poem describes the obstacles faced by Odysseus, various divine trails he had undergone, his affair with nymph Calypso and his return to his kingdom.
6. The Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost is one of the greatest English literary epic based on the theme of fall of man given in the Old Testament and it was written in 17th century by John Milton. The great poet wrote it “to justify the ways of God to man”.
7. The Shah Name
Shah Name is a great Persian epic based on the historical and mythical accounts of Persian kings. Shah Name means “book of kings”. The epic begins with the mythical creation of Persia and ends in the narration of the stories of kings. The most famous story of Shah Name is about the legendary king of Rostam and Sohrab, his son.
7. The Buddhacharita
Buddhacharita is considered as an authoritative work on Buddha's life. It describes the birth, early life, renunciation, and teaching of Buddha. It is written in Sanskrit and has originally 28 cantos in which only 13 have been properly preserved.
8. The Divine Comedy
Divine Comedy is a celebrated epic poem written by Dante in 14th century. The narrator is lost in a forest, and he meets Virgil who guides him through Hell. Then Beatrice guides him to the ultimate Heaven. The poem ends with his moments of illumination and vision of trinity.
9.The Orlando Furioso
Orlando Furioso is a renowned epic with full of supernatural, allegorical and romantic adventures. The main theme of the epic is war between Christians and pagans. It is a great epic poem due to his fine-textured versification, technical adroitness, vigorous and brilliant narration.
10. The Raghuvamsa
Raghuvamsa describes the lives of kings of solar dynasty. It consists of 19 cantos. The epic chronicles life of Rama and his ancestors. Sanskrit epics have attained perfection in Raghuvamsa.
11. The Tale of Heiku
This is one of the most renowned Japanese epic poem based on the Buddhist law of impermanence. It recounts the feud between two Japanese clans in traditional folk narrative structure.
12. The Theogony
Theogony is a Greek epic poem which describes mythical cosmogony. It tells about the origin of cosmos and its evolution It can also be used as a source book of Greek mythology.
13. The Jewang Ungi
The Jewang Ungi, which means "Rhymed Chronicles of Sovereigns", is a historical epic poem composed by Yi Seung-hyu in 1287, in the late Goryeo period. It depicts the history of Korea from Dangun to King Chungnyeol.
14. The Faust
The Faust, written by Goethe, narrates a man's desire to transcend his physical limitations and his search for answers to eternal questions about mankind.
15.The Beowulf
Beowulf, one of the earliest epics of the world, is based on a Scandinavian legend. It was written around 750 AD by an anonymous writer and it has about 3000 lines.
16. The Epic of Gilgamesh
The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the earliest epic poems of the world. It tells the story of Gilgamesh, the ruler of Uruk and his companion Enkidu whose exploits are the described. The epic is equally fascinating for the window it opened to the ancient Sumerian and Babylonian cultures.
17. The Fairie Queene
The Fairie Queene is considered as the first epic poem in modern English literature. This allegoric poem is arranged as a story for a twelve-day feast, held by the queen of the fairyland. It is a national epic of England aimed at glorifying Queen Elizabeth.
18. The Don Juan
Don Juan is a most effective and vigorous satire in the English literature. This poem reviews the social, political and economic condition of the Europe. It is a kind of picturesque novel written in verse. The hero, don Juan ,wanders from one place to another and records his six adventures.
19. The Pharsila
The pharsila is a celebrated Roman epic poem based on the Battle of Pharsalus which was occurred in 48 B.C. It depicts the civil war between forces led by Julius Caesar and the forces of Pompey, the Great. This historical poem is considered as one of the greatest epic poem in the Latin literature.
20. The Silapadikaram
Silapadikaram is a famous Tamil epic poem, which is ascribed to Prince Ilango Adigal. It narrates mythical story of Kannagi, an ordinary housewife who became a Goddess. The epic mentions three ancient Tamil kingdoms of South India vividly.
Goddess Kannaki. Silapathikaram
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21. The Paradise Regained
22. Hermann and Dorothea
23. Vladimir
24. Manimekalai
25. Taghribat Bani Hilal
26. Kundalakesi
27. Punica
28. Thebaid and Achilleid
29. Saundaranandakavya
30. Posthomerica
31. Evangeliorum libri
32. The Bridge
33. Raghuvamsa
34. De Raptu Proserpinae
35. Dionysiaca
36. The Tale of Kieu
37. Kiratarjuniya
38. Shishupala Vadha
39. David of Sasun
40. Ruodlieb
41.Digenis Akritas
42. Epic of King Gesar
43. Civaka Cintamani
44. Basavapurana
45. Alexandreis
46. Ramacharitamanasa
47. Mahavamsa
48. Ādi purana
49. Philippide
50. Parzival
51. Sirat al-Zahir Baibars
52. Vikramarjuna Vijaya
53. Gesta Regum Britanniae
54. Jewang ungi
55. Cursor Mundi
56. The Tale of the Heike
57.Valayapati
58. Allit erative Morte Arthure
59. Orlando innamorato
60. Shmuel-Bukh
Voltaire
61. Savitri
62. Mlokhim-Bukh
63. Book of Dede Korkut
64. La Gerusalemme liberata
65. Lepanto
66. Matilda
67. The Barons' Wars
68. The Purple Island
69. Davideis
70. Omeros
71. Promessi Sposi
72. Pan Tadeusz
73. Prince Arthur
74. Kurukshetra
75. Eliza
76. Columbus
77. Henriade
78. Alfred
79. Leonidas
80.Prometheus Bound
81. Epigoniad
82. The Highlander
83. Ramavataram
84. O Uraguai
85. The Odyssey
86. Lalita Ke Aansoo
87. Der Messias
88. Rossiada
89. Athenaid
90. Joan of Arc
91. Thalaba the Destroyer
92. Madoc
93. Chanson de Roland
94. Columbiad
95. Phra Aphai Mani
96. Evangeline
97. Bhattikavya
98. Canigó
99. Lacplesis
100. Lahuta Malcís
Epic Quiz
For each question, choose the best answer. The answer key is below.
- Who is the author of Iliad ?
- Homer
- Ved Vyasa
Answer Key
- Homer
The Greatest Epic
Greatest Love Poems of All Time
- 10 Greatest Love Poems of All Time
This article lists greatest love poems from all over the world. The poems are listed chronologically and an excerpt from the poems - from original poem or its translated version - have been included in this article.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2013 Kumar Paral
Comments
Gilbert Arevalo from Hacienda Heights, California on May 10, 2020:
Nice research, you corralled many epics together and chose outstanding illustrations.
Rida Fatima from Pakistan on January 30, 2020:
very informative
swati singh on December 29, 2015:
i am heartily thankful of this website for giving the 100 epics
nandhini on September 25, 2015:
I'm very proud to say am a Indian ,such a great epics we have so, I feel proud and I love my country....
Chethas D k on June 28, 2015:
I like the epic Ramayana
Laxman on March 11, 2015:
I love the great epic Mahabharatham
Raman on March 11, 2015:
I'm proud of my country, my culture and my mother country. because i'm tamizhan
