History of Literature of the World
January 23, 2023
Literature of the World throughout history=national epic literature=Mesopotamia=Asia=Europe=Americas
The Holy Bible
The Holy Bible has had more influence on the world than any other written document. The Bible as a collection of dozens of ancient scriptures records the Creation, the Flood and the resettlement of the nations, the establishment of the children of Abraham in Canaan, their journey into Egypt and dramatic return to Canaan led by Moses and Joshua to secure the promised land, ruled later by Judges, then Kings of a united kingdom were established. The poetic Psalms and Proverbs were recorded by the prophets over many centuries. The Kingdom of Israel was later conquered by adjacent nations and the Israelites were scattered across the region but were allowed to return home under foreign occupation, called to renew their commitment to God, rebuild their temple, and wait for the Messiah, as predicted by the prophets. The Apostles later accounted the life of Jesus Christ, teachings, and prediction of future return. Written from the 13th century B.C. to 1st century A.D. by Moses, the prophets, and apostles.
The Mesopotamian Epics
The Epic of Gilgamesh: The epic poem from ancient Mesopotamia (Sumerian or Akkadian Empire) recorded on clay tablet. The five Sumerian poems are the oldest surviving literature in the world. The "first great masterpiece of world literature." Gilgamesh, king of Uruk (2100 B.C.) inspired the later epic Akkadian based on a combined version known as Old Babylon. Gilgamesh, king of Uruk and hero of the Epic and Enkidu, a wild man who became civilized was created by the gods to stop Gilgamesh from oppressing the people of Uruk. Enkidu challenged Gilgamesh to a test of strength. Gilgamesh won and the two later became friends. Together they slayed the Guardian of the Forest. They also battled the goddess Ishtar and the Bull of Heaven, killing the Bull but Enkidu was killed by sickness by the gods in revenge. In the second half of the Epic, Gilgamesh sought the secret of eternal life after the loss of his friend Enkidu. He sought advice from Utnapishtim, who told him of the Great Flood. Utnapishtim was called by the god Enki to build a great ship to survive the flood, a parallel to Noah of the Bible. He also sought advice from Siduri, a female god. Major theme of Epic: death is inevitable and immortality is unattainable.
The Enuma Elish (The Seven Tablets of Creation) Mesopotamian (Babylonian) creation myth, a major source of Babylonian worldview. Includes mythological accounts of the Creation of the world, the battle between gods, the creation of man, and their obligation to serve the gods. The oldest copy, 7th century B.C., content from 2nd millennium B.C. up to 1900 B.C.
Other Mesopotamian Creation Myths include Atra-Hasis (natural disasters and a great flood), and the similar Eridu Genesis.
Adapa myth parallels the fall of man. Immortality is a constant theme in Mesopotamian epics, along with human obligation to serve the gods who created them. Plagues, droughts, and great floods are common events, paralleling the Bible.
Ancient Egyptian Literature
The Pyramid Texts of Egypt are the oldest religious writings in the world. The text is inscribed on the walls of the pyramids by Unas, the first pharaoh to inscribe the walls of his pyramid at Saqqarah with religious texts. He was the last pharaoh of the fifth dynasty 2325 B.C. The texts mention the first written reference to the god Osiris. The texts were written to protect the king and ensure blessings in the next life. The texts were reserved for the pharaoh only and not illustrated.
Ancient Greek Literature
The Iliad by Homer is an epic 8th century B.C. Greek epic poem and describes the events and struggles of last year of the Trojan war between the city of Troy and the Mycenean Greeks. Achilles is the main character and the greatest warrior in the world. The epic begins nine years into the war, which began because the son of the king of Troy kidnapped Helen of the brother of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae. Hector was a Trojan prince and greatest warrior for Troy but was killed by Achilles. Priam was king of Troy and father of Hector and Paris. Helen of Troy, "the most beautiful woman in the world" was married to Paris. The Iliad had a main theme of war and its effects, but also included themes of honor, pride, humanity, fate, glory, duty, and love.
The Odyssey by Homer, 8th century B.C., describes the Greek epic of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his journey home after the Trojan War, a ten-year war. Odysseus and his journey lasts ten years longer during which he leaves home to help Queen Helen of Sparta and many struggles occur after angering the gods. His wife Penelope and son Telemachus think he is dead and deal with potential new suitors who are unsuitable for marriage. Telemachus does not like the suitors and tries to fight them off from the palace. Odysseus was trapped on an island by the nymph Calypso but the gods eventually rescue him so he can return home and fight off the suitors who wanted to replace him in Ithaca. Odysseus and Penelope are reunited and peace is restored at the palace.
Aesop’s Fables (564 B.C.) by Aseop, a Greek storyteller and slave. Many of the characters in these short stories are animals or objects, (as opposed to parables, which feature humans as main characters) and each story demonstrates a moral lesson. As many as 725 of these fables or stories have been recorded. Aesop was born mute.
The Histories by Herodotus (430 B.C.) the Greek historian, is considered the founding work on history in western literature. Herodotus was considered the first true historian and wrote about the ancient Greeks and their struggles and wars against the Persian Empire. The history of the Scythian steppes, Lydia, and Sparta are also included along with writings about Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, and the Mediterranean region. Although the Biblical accounts of the Torah and Kings Chronicles are older, Herodotus is recognized as the first true historian outside the Bible.
Medea by Euripides, Greek tragedy (431 B.C.) Medea, a princess, gets revenge as her husband leaves her for another princess as she kills her husband’s new princess as well as her own two sons and escapes to start a new life in Athens.
Antigone by Sophocles, a Greek tragedy (441 B.C.) based on a Theban Greek legend. Two brothers fight in Thebes civil war against each other for the throne. The new ruler of Thebes promotes one brother and punishes the other.
Oedipus Rex (429 BC) By Sophocles Greek tragedy
Oresteia by Aeschylus, (5th century B.C.) trilogy of Greek tragedies. The murder of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, the trial, the end of the curse on the house of Atreus and the pacification of the Erinyes. The Greek gods interacted with the characters. Themes of revenge and justice.
The Republic by Plato (375 B.C.) described a wise society run by a philosopher and is considered Plato's greatest work. The Republic is focused on society, politics, and justice of man. Society has three classes: the producers, the auxiliary (military), and the guardians. The speakers include Socrates. The four virtues are: wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice. Justice is worthwhile. Plato rejected Athenian democracy for mistaking anarchy for freedom and lack of unity. Plato was critical of democracy and prefered aristocratic kings. Therefore, Plato prefered aristocracy ruled by a philosopher-king as the ideal form of government. Plato described five regimes: Aristocracy, Timocracy, Oligarchy, Democracy, and Tyranny.
The Symposium by Plato (370 B.C.) describes a banquet where men including Socrates take turns giving speeches focused on praising love and defining it in the philosophical sense.
Apology by Plato (399 B.C.) is an account of Socrates' defense speech where he is charged with not recognizing the gods of Athens and corrupting the youth.
History of the Peloponnesian War (431 B.C.) by Thucydides Greek Battle between Athens and Sparta
Roman Literature of the first Roman Empire
The Aeneid by Virgil, (19 B.C.) a Roman poem, accounts Aeneas, a Trojan who travelled to Italy and became the ancestor of the Romans. The Aenid tells the story of the foundation of Rome as Trojans flee from their defeat by the Greeks at Troy and sail for Italy to found the city of Rome. Aeneid is mostly fiction, but there are some historical references in the book. Theme: perseverance. The book was popular among Romans. Aeneas' son did found a nearby town to Rome with strong connections to the city, therefore, the book has some historical validity. Legend says brothers Romulus and Remus founded the city of Rome (753 B.C.), whose ancestors are believed to be a mixture of Trojans and Italians. Romans loved the book because it connected their history to the longer ancient Greek history.
Metamorphoses by Ovid, the Roman poet, (8 A.D.), a narrative poem containing many myths, legendary stories, and genres chronicling the history of the world from creation to Rome and Julius Caesar. Themes: Transformation and love. Ovid's most famous work.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor (161-180 A.D.), his personal ideas on Stoic philosophy, this work contains 12 books written in Greek. The writings were never intended to be published. Stoic philosophy has Greek origins and focuses on personal ethics and logic.
Confessions by St Augustine 400 A.D. An Autobiography. Also wrote City of God and On Christian Doctrine.
Roman historians published many works of interest, particularly to Bible scholars for their accounts of early Christianity by Josephus, Tacitus, and Pliny.
Asian Literature
Mahabharata (350) B.C. Indian Epic “the greatest Indian epic”
The Bhagavad Gita by Krishna
China's Four Great Novels:
Dream of the Red Chamber (1791) China's Greatest Novel, love story
Monkey King, Journey to the West, 16th century Chinese novel
Water Margin, 14th century Chinese Outlaws Fight Invaders
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, 14th century power struggle between the three kingdoms of the Han Dynasty
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu 6th century B.C. Taoism philosophy
The Art of War by Sun Tzu 5th century B.C. Chinese warfare, military strategy
Tale of Genji 12th century Japanese literature
Arabian Knights (1001 Knights) Middle Ages folk tales from Arabia, 7th century, published 18th century
Shahnameh by Ferdowsi (11th century) “The Book of Kings” of Zoroastrian traditions and Persian history
Secret History of the Mongols (13th century) oldest literature in Mongolian language account of Genghis Khan after his death
Epic of Manas (1792) Kyrgyzstan epic, events of 9th century Central Asia
Persian Flood Myth
European Literature of the Western Canon after the breakup of the first Roman Empire
Beowulf (8th-11th century) Britain’s National Epic and Nordic nations, dragon fighting, battles between nations
Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer 13th century medieval literature
Nibelungenlied (13th century) German epic, dragon fighting, and fighting enemies
Song of Roland (11th-12th century) French epic fighting invading nations
Saga of Grettir the Strong (13th-14th century) Icelandic Sagas, Viking diaspora, paganism to Christianity
Orlando Furioso (15th century) Italian Epic of war
Divine Comedy by Dante 1321 Medieval Italian poetry
Luisads (1572) Portugese Epic story of explorer Vasco de Gama and Portugese imperialism
Essays (1580) Montaigne, French
Faerie Queen (1590) English epic poem Knight seeks woman
Paradise Lost (1667) John Milton, Protestant Epic Biblical parallels
Servant of Two Masters 1746 Italian Comedy
Rape of the Lock (1714) British poetic satire between two London families
Don Juan Lord Byron 19th century English literature
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (1869) Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812 and 19th century Russian society. Realism theme.
Shakespeare 1600's
Gulliver's Travels Jonathan Swift 1726
Don Quixote 1605 Spanish novel Cervantes
Candide, Voltaire 1759 French satire
Misanthropy (1666) by Moliere, satire of French Aristocracy
Prince 1532 by Machiavelli Italian politics 16th century
Italian Journey Goethe 18th century German writer
Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen 19th century British novel
Oliver Twist Charles Dickens
Betrothed Italian novel
Pinocchio an Italian novel
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo a French novel
Anna Karenina, a Leo Tolstoy novel
In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust
American Literature
The themes of American literature coincided with the emergence of the United States as an independent nation from Great Britan in the late 18th century and its struggle for its identity, westward expansion, civil rights, and its increasing role as a world power.
William Faulkner
Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer Mark Twain
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald
TS Elliot
The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway
John Steinback Of Mice and Men, Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
John Grisham
Latin American Literature
The themes of Latin American literature included independence, nationalism, and civil rights. These themes were influenced by the struggle for their independence from their colonial parent nations and the establishent of a new identity while working to provide a harmonious culture among themselves.
Australian Literature
World Literature Epic Poetry (Creation-Flood Accounts-Dragons)
Dragon Stories in Literature and Art:
Alexander the Great hissing dragon account. Other dragon accounts by historical figures: Titus Flavius, Flavius Josephus, Henry VIII, Saint George, Herodotus, Ulysses, Flying Dragon of Indonesia, (evolutionisamyth.com/biblical/dragon-written-documentation-by-historical-figures/)
Marco Polo’s dragon-dinosaur writings (apologetics press), also Gaius Solinus, and St John of Damascus.
Daniel Bel and the Dragon
Creation accounts in literature
Flood Accounts in literature=found in every ancient culture’s literature
Giant Men Accounts in literature
Giant Animals in literature
Epic of Gilgamesh (Babylonian Epic) The Search for Immortality
Atra Hasis (Akkadian Epic 18th century B.C.)
Enuma Elish (Babylonian Creation Myth)
Descent of Inanna (Sumerian 2000 B.C.)
Egyptian Creation Myths=Atum-Adam, Flood-Nu
Old Testament (1500 B.C.-400 B.C.)
New Testament 1st Century AD
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thales, one of the first Greek philosophers (7th cent. B.C.) Said everything comes from water
The Theogony (8th cent B.C. Greek myths by Hesoid)
Metamorphoses by Ovid (1st century Roman)
The Iliad by Homer (Ancient Greek, 8th cent. B.C.)
The Odyssey (Ancient Greek, 8th cent. B.C.)
Aesop’s Fables (6th century B.C. Greece)
The Aeneid by Virgil (Roman 1st cent. B.C.)
Punica (1st century Roman poem, Silius Italicus)
Argonautica (3rd cent B.C. Greek)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ramayana (Sanskrit epic India 8th century B.C. to 3rd century A.D.)
Mahabharata (Sanskrit epic India 3rd cent B.C. to 4th cent A.D.)
Bhagavad Gita (500 B.C. Hindu Scripture)
Buddacharita (2nd cent A.D. Sanskrit epic poem on the life of Buddha
The Raghuvamsa (Sanskrit Hindu Poem, 5th century A.D.) Line of Kings in the Raghu dynasty
Epic of Manas (9th century Kyrgyz epic)
1001 Knights (Arabian Knights) 600-900 A.D., Introduced to Europe in 18th century
Shahnameh (1000 AD) by Ferdowsi
Tale of Genji (11th century Japanese epic)
Tale of Heike (14th century Japanese epic)
The Jewang Ungi (13th century Song of Emperors and Kings, Korean)
Journey to the West (16th century Chinese novel)
--------------------------------------------------
El Cid (Spain 11th Century)
Beowulf (English, 1000 A.D.)
Iceland Sagas (13th-14th century) Snorri Sturlson
The Poetic Edda, Prose Edda
Svatopluk (19th century Slovak)
The Song of Roland (French 11th century)
Nibelungenlied (1200 German epic)
The Divine Comedy (Italian poem 14th century by Dante Alighieri)
Joan of Arc (15th century France)
KJV Bible 1611 by 50 scholars appointed by King James
Orlando Furioso (16th century Italian poem)
La Lusiads (16th century Portuguese poem)
Faerie Queen (16th century English epic poem by Edmund Spencer)
Libro de Los Epítomes Book by Hernando Colon Columbus (son of Christopher Columbus) features over 2,000 page catalog summarizing 15-20,000 books compiled this early 16th century work in effort to create a library of every book in the world. (Guardian Article)
The Kalevala (Finland National Epic 19th century)
Don Quixote (Spanish novel 1612)
William Blake (18th century English poet)
Song of Hiawatha (1855 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
Paradise Lost (John Milton, 1667)
Johann Goethe (18th-19th century German poet)
Voltaire (French 19th century)
Don Juan (19th century satire by Englishman Lord Byron of a Spanish womanizer)
Leo Tolstoy (19th century Russian author) War and Peace, Anna Karenina
Ulysses by James Joyce (20th century Irish novel)
One Hundred Years of Solitude (Marquez, Spanish novel, 20th century)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walt Whitman (19th century American Poet)
Emily Dickinson (19th century American Poet)
Edgar Allan Poe (19th century American Poet)
Moby Dick by Herman Melville (19th century American)
Last of the Mohicans by James Feinmore Cooper (19th century American writer))
Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe (19th century American novel)
Huckleberry Finn by Tom Sawyer (19th century American novel)
T.S. Eliot (20th century American Poet)
The Cantos (Ezra Pound, 20th century American)
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (20th century American Literature)
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (1939, 20th century American)
East of Eden by John Steinbeck (20th century American Literature)
William Faulkner (20th century American poet)
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925, 20th century American poet)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960, American)
The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (1952, American)
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemmingway (1951, American)
The Color Purple by Alice Walker (1982, American)
THE HOLY BIBLE
The Holy Bible has had more influence on the world than any other written document. The Bible as a collection of dozens of ancient scriptures records the Creation, the Flood and the resettlement of the nations, the establishment of the children of Abraham in Canaan, their journey into Egypt and dramatic return to Canaan led by Moses and Joshua to secure the promised land, ruled later by Judges, then ruled by Kings of a united kingdom were established. The poetic Psalms and Proverbs were recorded by the prophets over many centuries. The Kingdom of Israel was later conquered by adjacent nations and the Israelites were scattered across the region but were allowed to return home under foreign occupation, called to renew their commitment to God, rebuild their temple, and wait for the Messiah, as predicted by the prophets. The Apostles later accounted for the life of Jesus Christ, teachings, and prediction of future return. Written from the 13th century B.C. to 1st century A.D. by Moses, the prophets, and apostles.
MESOPOTAMIAN EPICS
The Epic of Gilgamesh: The epic poem from ancient Mesopotamia (Sumerian or Akkadian Empire) recorded on clay tablet. The five Sumerian poems are the oldest surviving literature in the world. The "first great masterpiece of world literature." Gilgamesh, king of Uruk (2100 B.C.) inspired the later epic Akkadian based on a combined version known as Old Babylon. Gilgamesh, king of Uruk and hero of the Epic and Enkidu, a wild man who became civilized was created by the gods to stop Gilgamesh from oppressing the people of Uruk. Enkidu challenged Gilgamesh to a test of strength. Gilgamesh won and the two later became friends. Together they slayed the Guardian of the Forest. They also battled the goddess Ishtar and the Bull of Heaven, killing the Bull but Enkidu was killed by sickness by the gods in revenge. In the second half of the Epic, Gilgamesh sought the secret of eternal life after the loss of his friend Enkidu. He sought advice from Utnapishtim, who told him of the Great Flood. Utnapishtim was called by the god Enki to build a great ship to survive the flood, a parallel to Noah of the Bible. He also sought advice from Siduri, a female god. Major theme of Epic: death is inevitable and immortality is unattainable.
The Enuma Elish (The Seven Tablets of Creation) Mesopotamian (Babylonian) creation myth, a major source of Babylonian worldview. Includes mythological accounts of the Creation of the world, the battle between gods, the creation of man, and their obligation to serve the gods. The oldest copy, 7th century B.C., content from 2nd millennium B.C. up to 1900 B.C.
Other Mesopotamian Creation Myths include Atra-Hasis (natural disasters and a great flood), and the similar Eridu Genesis.
Adapa myth parallels the fall of man. Immortality is a constant theme in Mesopotamian epics, along with human obligation to serve the gods who created them. Plagues, droughts, and great floods are common events, paralleling the Bible.
EGYPTIAN LITERATURE
The Pyramid Texts of Egypt are the oldest religious writings in the world. The text is inscribed on the walls of the pyramids by Unas, the first pharaoh to inscribe the walls of his pyramid at Saqqarah with religious texts. He was the last pharaoh of the fifth dynasty 2325 B.C. The texts mention the first written reference to the god Osiris. The texts were written to protect the king and ensure blessings in the next life. The texts were reserved for the pharaoh only and not illustrated.
GREEK LITERATURE
The Iliad by Homer is an epic 8th century B.C. Greek epic poem and describes the events and struggles of last year of the Trojan war between the city of Troy and the Mycenean Greeks. Achilles is the main character and the greatest warrior in the world. The epic begins nine years into the war, which began because the son of the king of Troy kidnapped Helen of the brother of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae. Hector was a Trojan prince and greatest warrior for Troy but was killed by Achilles. Priam was king of Troy and father of Hector and Paris. Helen of Troy, "the most beautiful woman in the world" was married to Paris. The Iliad had a main theme of war and its effects, but also included themes of honor, pride, humanity, fate, glory, duty, and love.
The Odyssey by Homer, 8th century B.C., describes the Greek epic of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his journey home after the Trojan War, a ten-year war. Odysseus and his journey lasts ten years longer during which he leaves home to help Queen Helen of Sparta and many struggles occur after angering the gods. His wife Penelope and son Telemachus think he is dead and deal with potential new suitors who are unsuitable for marriage. Telemachus does not like the suitors and tries to fight them off from the palace. Odysseus was trapped on an island by the nymph Calypso but the gods eventually rescue him so he can return home and fight off the suitors who wanted to replace him in Ithaca. Odysseus and Penelope are reunited and peace is restored at the palace.
Aesop’s Fables (564 B.C.) by Aseop, a Greek storyteller and slave. Many of the characters in these short stories are animals or objects, (as opposed to parables, which feature humans as main characters) and each story demonstrates a moral lesson. As many as 725 of these fables or stories have been recorded. Aesop was born mute.
The Histories by Herodotus (430 B.C.) the Greek historian, is considered the founding work on history in western literature. Herodotus was considered the first true historian and wrote about the ancient Greeks and their struggles and wars against the Persian Empire. The history of the Scythian steppes, Lydia, and Sparta are also included along with writings about Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, and the Mediterranean region. Although the Biblical accounts of the Torah and Kings Chronicles are older, Herodotus is recognized as the first true historian outside the Bible.
Medea by Euripides, Greek tragedy (431 B.C.) Medea, a princess, gets revenge as her husband leaves her for another princess as she kills her husband’s new princess as well as her own two sons and escapes to start a new life in Athens.
Antigone by Sophocles, a Greek tragedy (441 B.C.) based on a Theban Greek legend. Two brothers fight in Thebes civil war against each other for the throne. The new ruler of Thebes promotes one brother and punishes the other.
Oedipus Rex (429 BC) By Sophocles Greek tragedy
Oresteia by Aeschylus, (5th century B.C.) trilogy of Greek tragedies. The murder of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, the trial, the end of the curse on the house of Atreus and the pacification of the Erinyes. The Greek gods interacted with the characters. Themes of revenge and justice.
The Republic by Plato (375 B.C.) described a wise society run by a philosopher and is considered Plato's greatest work. The Republic is focused on society, politics, and justice of man. Society has three classes: the producers, the auxiliary (military), and the guardians. The speakers include Socrates. The four virtues are: wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice. Justice is worthwhile. Plato rejected Athenian democracy for mistaking anarchy for freedom and lack of unity. Plato was critical of democracy and prefered aristocratic kings. Therefore, Plato prefered aristocracy ruled by a philosopher-king as the ideal form of government. Plato described five regimes: Aristocracy, Timocracy, Oligarchy, Democracy, and Tyranny.
The Symposium by Plato (370 B.C.) describes a banquet where men including Socrates take turns giving speeches focused on praising love and defining it in the philosophical sense.
Apology by Plato (399 B.C.) is an account of Socrates' defense speech where he is charged with not recognizing the gods of Athens and corrupting the youth.
History of the Peloponnesian War (431 B.C.) by Thucydides Greek Battle between Athens and Sparta
ROMAN LITERATURE of the first Roman Empire
The Aeneid by Virgil, (19 B.C.) a Roman poem, accounts Aeneas, a Trojan who traveled to Italy and became the ancestor of the Romans. The Aenid tells the story of the foundation of Rome as Trojans flee from their defeat by the Greeks at Troy and sail for Italy to found the city of Rome. Aeneid is mostly fiction, but there are some historical references in the book. Theme: perseverance. The book was popular among Romans. Aeneas' son did found a nearby town to Rome with strong connections to the city, therefore, the book has some historical validity. Legend says brothers Romulus and Remus founded the city of Rome (753 B.C.), whose ancestors are believed to be a mixture of Trojans and Italians. Romans loved the book because it connected their history to the longer ancient Greek history.
Metamorphoses by Ovid, the Roman poet, (8 A.D.), a narrative poem containing many myths, legendary stories, and genres chronicling the history of the world from creation to Rome and Julius Caesar. Themes: Transformation and love. Ovid's most famous work.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor (161-180 A.D.), his personal ideas on Stoic philosophy, this work contains 12 books written in Greek. The writings were never intended to be published. Stoic philosophy has Greek origins and focuses on personal ethics and logic.
Confessions by St Augustine 400 A.D. An Autobiography. Also wrote City of God and On Christian Doctrine.
ASIAN LITERATURE
Mahabharata (350) B.C. Indian Epic “the greatest Indian epic”
The Bhagavad Gita by Krishna
China's Four Great Novels:
Dream of the Red Chamber (1791) China's Greatest Novel, love story
Monkey King, Journey to the West, 16th century Chinese novel
Water Margin, 14th century Chinese Outlaws Fight Invaders
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, 14th century power struggle between the three kingdoms of the Han Dynasty
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu 6th century B.C. Taoism philosophy
The Art of War by Sun Tzu 5th century B.C. Chinese warfare, military strategy
Tale of Genji 12th century Japanese literature
Arabian Knights (1001 Knights) Middle Ages folk tales from Arabia, 7th century, published 18th century
Shahnameh by Ferdowsi (11th century) “The Book of Kings” Zoroastrian traditions, Persian history
Secret History of the Mongols (13th century) oldest literature in Mongolian language account of Genghis Khan after his death
Epic of Manas (1792) Kyrgyzstan epic, events of 9th century Central Asia
EUROPEAN LITERATURE Western Canon after the breakup of the first Roman Empire
Beowulf (8th-11th century) Britain’s National Epic and Nordic nations, dragon fighting, battles between nations
Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer 13th century medieval literature
Nibelungenlied (13th century) German epic, dragon fighting, and fighting enemies
Song of Roland (11th-12th century) French epic fighting invading nations
Saga of Grettir the Strong (13th-14th century) Icelandic Sagas, Viking diaspora, paganism to Christianity
Orlando Furioso (15th century) Italian Epic of war
Divine Comedy by Dante 1321 Medieval Italian poetry
Luisads (1572) Portuguese Epic story of explorer Vasco de Gama and Portuguese imperialism
Essays (1580) Montaigne, French
Faerie Queen (1590) English epic poem Knight seeks woman
Paradise Lost (1667) John Milton, Protestant Epic Biblical parallels
Servant of Two Masters 1746 Italian Comedy
Rape of the Lock (1714) British poetic satire between two London families
Don Juan Lord Byron 19th century English literature
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (1869) Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812 and 19th century Russian society. Realism theme.
Shakespeare 1600's
Gulliver's Travels Jonathan Swift 1726
Don Quixote 1605 Spanish novel Cervantes
Candide, Voltaire 1759 French satire
Misanthropy (1666) by Moliere, satire of French Aristocracy
Prince 1532 by Machiavelli Italian politics 16th century
Italian Journey Goethe 18th century German writer
Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen 19th century British novel
Oliver Twist Charles Dickens
Betrothed Italian novel
Pinocchio an Italian novel
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo a French novel
Anna Karenina, a Leo Tolstoy novel
In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust
AMERICAN LITERATURE
William Faulkner
Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer Mark Twain
Moby Dick Herman Melville
The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald
TS Elliot
Old Man and the Sea Hemingway
John Steinback Of Mice and Men, Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden
Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne
Invisible Man Ralph Ellison
To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee
Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury
January 23, 2023
Literature of the World throughout history=national epic literature=Mesopotamia=Asia=Europe=Americas
The Holy Bible
The Holy Bible has had more influence on the world than any other written document. The Bible as a collection of dozens of ancient scriptures records the Creation, the Flood and the resettlement of the nations, the establishment of the children of Abraham in Canaan, their journey into Egypt and dramatic return to Canaan led by Moses and Joshua to secure the promised land, ruled later by Judges, then Kings of a united kingdom were established. The poetic Psalms and Proverbs were recorded by the prophets over many centuries. The Kingdom of Israel was later conquered by adjacent nations and the Israelites were scattered across the region but were allowed to return home under foreign occupation, called to renew their commitment to God, rebuild their temple, and wait for the Messiah, as predicted by the prophets. The Apostles later accounted the life of Jesus Christ, teachings, and prediction of future return. Written from the 13th century B.C. to 1st century A.D. by Moses, the prophets, and apostles.
The Mesopotamian Epics
The Epic of Gilgamesh: The epic poem from ancient Mesopotamia (Sumerian or Akkadian Empire) recorded on clay tablet. The five Sumerian poems are the oldest surviving literature in the world. The "first great masterpiece of world literature." Gilgamesh, king of Uruk (2100 B.C.) inspired the later epic Akkadian based on a combined version known as Old Babylon. Gilgamesh, king of Uruk and hero of the Epic and Enkidu, a wild man who became civilized was created by the gods to stop Gilgamesh from oppressing the people of Uruk. Enkidu challenged Gilgamesh to a test of strength. Gilgamesh won and the two later became friends. Together they slayed the Guardian of the Forest. They also battled the goddess Ishtar and the Bull of Heaven, killing the Bull but Enkidu was killed by sickness by the gods in revenge. In the second half of the Epic, Gilgamesh sought the secret of eternal life after the loss of his friend Enkidu. He sought advice from Utnapishtim, who told him of the Great Flood. Utnapishtim was called by the god Enki to build a great ship to survive the flood, a parallel to Noah of the Bible. He also sought advice from Siduri, a female god. Major theme of Epic: death is inevitable and immortality is unattainable.
The Enuma Elish (The Seven Tablets of Creation) Mesopotamian (Babylonian) creation myth, a major source of Babylonian worldview. Includes mythological accounts of the Creation of the world, the battle between gods, the creation of man, and their obligation to serve the gods. The oldest copy, 7th century B.C., content from 2nd millennium B.C. up to 1900 B.C.
Other Mesopotamian Creation Myths include Atra-Hasis (natural disasters and a great flood), and the similar Eridu Genesis.
Adapa myth parallels the fall of man. Immortality is a constant theme in Mesopotamian epics, along with human obligation to serve the gods who created them. Plagues, droughts, and great floods are common events, paralleling the Bible.
Ancient Egyptian Literature
The Pyramid Texts of Egypt are the oldest religious writings in the world. The text is inscribed on the walls of the pyramids by Unas, the first pharaoh to inscribe the walls of his pyramid at Saqqarah with religious texts. He was the last pharaoh of the fifth dynasty 2325 B.C. The texts mention the first written reference to the god Osiris. The texts were written to protect the king and ensure blessings in the next life. The texts were reserved for the pharaoh only and not illustrated.
Ancient Greek Literature
The Iliad by Homer is an epic 8th century B.C. Greek epic poem and describes the events and struggles of last year of the Trojan war between the city of Troy and the Mycenean Greeks. Achilles is the main character and the greatest warrior in the world. The epic begins nine years into the war, which began because the son of the king of Troy kidnapped Helen of the brother of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae. Hector was a Trojan prince and greatest warrior for Troy but was killed by Achilles. Priam was king of Troy and father of Hector and Paris. Helen of Troy, "the most beautiful woman in the world" was married to Paris. The Iliad had a main theme of war and its effects, but also included themes of honor, pride, humanity, fate, glory, duty, and love.
The Odyssey by Homer, 8th century B.C., describes the Greek epic of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his journey home after the Trojan War, a ten-year war. Odysseus and his journey lasts ten years longer during which he leaves home to help Queen Helen of Sparta and many struggles occur after angering the gods. His wife Penelope and son Telemachus think he is dead and deal with potential new suitors who are unsuitable for marriage. Telemachus does not like the suitors and tries to fight them off from the palace. Odysseus was trapped on an island by the nymph Calypso but the gods eventually rescue him so he can return home and fight off the suitors who wanted to replace him in Ithaca. Odysseus and Penelope are reunited and peace is restored at the palace.
Aesop’s Fables (564 B.C.) by Aseop, a Greek storyteller and slave. Many of the characters in these short stories are animals or objects, (as opposed to parables, which feature humans as main characters) and each story demonstrates a moral lesson. As many as 725 of these fables or stories have been recorded. Aesop was born mute.
The Histories by Herodotus (430 B.C.) the Greek historian, is considered the founding work on history in western literature. Herodotus was considered the first true historian and wrote about the ancient Greeks and their struggles and wars against the Persian Empire. The history of the Scythian steppes, Lydia, and Sparta are also included along with writings about Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, and the Mediterranean region. Although the Biblical accounts of the Torah and Kings Chronicles are older, Herodotus is recognized as the first true historian outside the Bible.
Medea by Euripides, Greek tragedy (431 B.C.) Medea, a princess, gets revenge as her husband leaves her for another princess as she kills her husband’s new princess as well as her own two sons and escapes to start a new life in Athens.
Antigone by Sophocles, a Greek tragedy (441 B.C.) based on a Theban Greek legend. Two brothers fight in Thebes civil war against each other for the throne. The new ruler of Thebes promotes one brother and punishes the other.
Oedipus Rex (429 BC) By Sophocles Greek tragedy
Oresteia by Aeschylus, (5th century B.C.) trilogy of Greek tragedies. The murder of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, the trial, the end of the curse on the house of Atreus and the pacification of the Erinyes. The Greek gods interacted with the characters. Themes of revenge and justice.
The Republic by Plato (375 B.C.) described a wise society run by a philosopher and is considered Plato's greatest work. The Republic is focused on society, politics, and justice of man. Society has three classes: the producers, the auxiliary (military), and the guardians. The speakers include Socrates. The four virtues are: wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice. Justice is worthwhile. Plato rejected Athenian democracy for mistaking anarchy for freedom and lack of unity. Plato was critical of democracy and prefered aristocratic kings. Therefore, Plato prefered aristocracy ruled by a philosopher-king as the ideal form of government. Plato described five regimes: Aristocracy, Timocracy, Oligarchy, Democracy, and Tyranny.
The Symposium by Plato (370 B.C.) describes a banquet where men including Socrates take turns giving speeches focused on praising love and defining it in the philosophical sense.
Apology by Plato (399 B.C.) is an account of Socrates' defense speech where he is charged with not recognizing the gods of Athens and corrupting the youth.
History of the Peloponnesian War (431 B.C.) by Thucydides Greek Battle between Athens and Sparta
Roman Literature of the first Roman Empire
The Aeneid by Virgil, (19 B.C.) a Roman poem, accounts Aeneas, a Trojan who travelled to Italy and became the ancestor of the Romans. The Aenid tells the story of the foundation of Rome as Trojans flee from their defeat by the Greeks at Troy and sail for Italy to found the city of Rome. Aeneid is mostly fiction, but there are some historical references in the book. Theme: perseverance. The book was popular among Romans. Aeneas' son did found a nearby town to Rome with strong connections to the city, therefore, the book has some historical validity. Legend says brothers Romulus and Remus founded the city of Rome (753 B.C.), whose ancestors are believed to be a mixture of Trojans and Italians. Romans loved the book because it connected their history to the longer ancient Greek history.
Metamorphoses by Ovid, the Roman poet, (8 A.D.), a narrative poem containing many myths, legendary stories, and genres chronicling the history of the world from creation to Rome and Julius Caesar. Themes: Transformation and love. Ovid's most famous work.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor (161-180 A.D.), his personal ideas on Stoic philosophy, this work contains 12 books written in Greek. The writings were never intended to be published. Stoic philosophy has Greek origins and focuses on personal ethics and logic.
Confessions by St Augustine 400 A.D. An Autobiography. Also wrote City of God and On Christian Doctrine.
Roman historians published many works of interest, particularly to Bible scholars for their accounts of early Christianity by Josephus, Tacitus, and Pliny.
Asian Literature
Mahabharata (350) B.C. Indian Epic “the greatest Indian epic”
The Bhagavad Gita by Krishna
China's Four Great Novels:
Dream of the Red Chamber (1791) China's Greatest Novel, love story
Monkey King, Journey to the West, 16th century Chinese novel
Water Margin, 14th century Chinese Outlaws Fight Invaders
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, 14th century power struggle between the three kingdoms of the Han Dynasty
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu 6th century B.C. Taoism philosophy
The Art of War by Sun Tzu 5th century B.C. Chinese warfare, military strategy
Tale of Genji 12th century Japanese literature
Arabian Knights (1001 Knights) Middle Ages folk tales from Arabia, 7th century, published 18th century
Shahnameh by Ferdowsi (11th century) “The Book of Kings” of Zoroastrian traditions and Persian history
Secret History of the Mongols (13th century) oldest literature in Mongolian language account of Genghis Khan after his death
Epic of Manas (1792) Kyrgyzstan epic, events of 9th century Central Asia
Persian Flood Myth
European Literature of the Western Canon after the breakup of the first Roman Empire
Beowulf (8th-11th century) Britain’s National Epic and Nordic nations, dragon fighting, battles between nations
Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer 13th century medieval literature
Nibelungenlied (13th century) German epic, dragon fighting, and fighting enemies
Song of Roland (11th-12th century) French epic fighting invading nations
Saga of Grettir the Strong (13th-14th century) Icelandic Sagas, Viking diaspora, paganism to Christianity
Orlando Furioso (15th century) Italian Epic of war
Divine Comedy by Dante 1321 Medieval Italian poetry
Luisads (1572) Portugese Epic story of explorer Vasco de Gama and Portugese imperialism
Essays (1580) Montaigne, French
Faerie Queen (1590) English epic poem Knight seeks woman
Paradise Lost (1667) John Milton, Protestant Epic Biblical parallels
Servant of Two Masters 1746 Italian Comedy
Rape of the Lock (1714) British poetic satire between two London families
Don Juan Lord Byron 19th century English literature
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (1869) Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812 and 19th century Russian society. Realism theme.
Shakespeare 1600's
Gulliver's Travels Jonathan Swift 1726
Don Quixote 1605 Spanish novel Cervantes
Candide, Voltaire 1759 French satire
Misanthropy (1666) by Moliere, satire of French Aristocracy
Prince 1532 by Machiavelli Italian politics 16th century
Italian Journey Goethe 18th century German writer
Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen 19th century British novel
Oliver Twist Charles Dickens
Betrothed Italian novel
Pinocchio an Italian novel
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo a French novel
Anna Karenina, a Leo Tolstoy novel
In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust
American Literature
The themes of American literature coincided with the emergence of the United States as an independent nation from Great Britan in the late 18th century and its struggle for its identity, westward expansion, civil rights, and its increasing role as a world power.
William Faulkner
Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer Mark Twain
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald
TS Elliot
The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway
John Steinback Of Mice and Men, Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
John Grisham
Latin American Literature
The themes of Latin American literature included independence, nationalism, and civil rights. These themes were influenced by the struggle for their independence from their colonial parent nations and the establishent of a new identity while working to provide a harmonious culture among themselves.
Australian Literature
World Literature Epic Poetry (Creation-Flood Accounts-Dragons)
Dragon Stories in Literature and Art:
Alexander the Great hissing dragon account. Other dragon accounts by historical figures: Titus Flavius, Flavius Josephus, Henry VIII, Saint George, Herodotus, Ulysses, Flying Dragon of Indonesia, (evolutionisamyth.com/biblical/dragon-written-documentation-by-historical-figures/)
Marco Polo’s dragon-dinosaur writings (apologetics press), also Gaius Solinus, and St John of Damascus.
Daniel Bel and the Dragon
Creation accounts in literature
Flood Accounts in literature=found in every ancient culture’s literature
Giant Men Accounts in literature
Giant Animals in literature
Epic of Gilgamesh (Babylonian Epic) The Search for Immortality
Atra Hasis (Akkadian Epic 18th century B.C.)
Enuma Elish (Babylonian Creation Myth)
Descent of Inanna (Sumerian 2000 B.C.)
Egyptian Creation Myths=Atum-Adam, Flood-Nu
Old Testament (1500 B.C.-400 B.C.)
New Testament 1st Century AD
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thales, one of the first Greek philosophers (7th cent. B.C.) Said everything comes from water
The Theogony (8th cent B.C. Greek myths by Hesoid)
Metamorphoses by Ovid (1st century Roman)
The Iliad by Homer (Ancient Greek, 8th cent. B.C.)
The Odyssey (Ancient Greek, 8th cent. B.C.)
Aesop’s Fables (6th century B.C. Greece)
The Aeneid by Virgil (Roman 1st cent. B.C.)
Punica (1st century Roman poem, Silius Italicus)
Argonautica (3rd cent B.C. Greek)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ramayana (Sanskrit epic India 8th century B.C. to 3rd century A.D.)
Mahabharata (Sanskrit epic India 3rd cent B.C. to 4th cent A.D.)
Bhagavad Gita (500 B.C. Hindu Scripture)
Buddacharita (2nd cent A.D. Sanskrit epic poem on the life of Buddha
The Raghuvamsa (Sanskrit Hindu Poem, 5th century A.D.) Line of Kings in the Raghu dynasty
Epic of Manas (9th century Kyrgyz epic)
1001 Knights (Arabian Knights) 600-900 A.D., Introduced to Europe in 18th century
Shahnameh (1000 AD) by Ferdowsi
Tale of Genji (11th century Japanese epic)
Tale of Heike (14th century Japanese epic)
The Jewang Ungi (13th century Song of Emperors and Kings, Korean)
Journey to the West (16th century Chinese novel)
--------------------------------------------------
El Cid (Spain 11th Century)
Beowulf (English, 1000 A.D.)
Iceland Sagas (13th-14th century) Snorri Sturlson
The Poetic Edda, Prose Edda
Svatopluk (19th century Slovak)
The Song of Roland (French 11th century)
Nibelungenlied (1200 German epic)
The Divine Comedy (Italian poem 14th century by Dante Alighieri)
Joan of Arc (15th century France)
KJV Bible 1611 by 50 scholars appointed by King James
Orlando Furioso (16th century Italian poem)
La Lusiads (16th century Portuguese poem)
Faerie Queen (16th century English epic poem by Edmund Spencer)
Libro de Los Epítomes Book by Hernando Colon Columbus (son of Christopher Columbus) features over 2,000 page catalog summarizing 15-20,000 books compiled this early 16th century work in effort to create a library of every book in the world. (Guardian Article)
The Kalevala (Finland National Epic 19th century)
Don Quixote (Spanish novel 1612)
William Blake (18th century English poet)
Song of Hiawatha (1855 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
Paradise Lost (John Milton, 1667)
Johann Goethe (18th-19th century German poet)
Voltaire (French 19th century)
Don Juan (19th century satire by Englishman Lord Byron of a Spanish womanizer)
Leo Tolstoy (19th century Russian author) War and Peace, Anna Karenina
Ulysses by James Joyce (20th century Irish novel)
One Hundred Years of Solitude (Marquez, Spanish novel, 20th century)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walt Whitman (19th century American Poet)
Emily Dickinson (19th century American Poet)
Edgar Allan Poe (19th century American Poet)
Moby Dick by Herman Melville (19th century American)
Last of the Mohicans by James Feinmore Cooper (19th century American writer))
Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe (19th century American novel)
Huckleberry Finn by Tom Sawyer (19th century American novel)
T.S. Eliot (20th century American Poet)
The Cantos (Ezra Pound, 20th century American)
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (20th century American Literature)
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (1939, 20th century American)
East of Eden by John Steinbeck (20th century American Literature)
William Faulkner (20th century American poet)
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925, 20th century American poet)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960, American)
The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (1952, American)
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemmingway (1951, American)
The Color Purple by Alice Walker (1982, American)
THE HOLY BIBLE
The Holy Bible has had more influence on the world than any other written document. The Bible as a collection of dozens of ancient scriptures records the Creation, the Flood and the resettlement of the nations, the establishment of the children of Abraham in Canaan, their journey into Egypt and dramatic return to Canaan led by Moses and Joshua to secure the promised land, ruled later by Judges, then ruled by Kings of a united kingdom were established. The poetic Psalms and Proverbs were recorded by the prophets over many centuries. The Kingdom of Israel was later conquered by adjacent nations and the Israelites were scattered across the region but were allowed to return home under foreign occupation, called to renew their commitment to God, rebuild their temple, and wait for the Messiah, as predicted by the prophets. The Apostles later accounted for the life of Jesus Christ, teachings, and prediction of future return. Written from the 13th century B.C. to 1st century A.D. by Moses, the prophets, and apostles.
MESOPOTAMIAN EPICS
The Epic of Gilgamesh: The epic poem from ancient Mesopotamia (Sumerian or Akkadian Empire) recorded on clay tablet. The five Sumerian poems are the oldest surviving literature in the world. The "first great masterpiece of world literature." Gilgamesh, king of Uruk (2100 B.C.) inspired the later epic Akkadian based on a combined version known as Old Babylon. Gilgamesh, king of Uruk and hero of the Epic and Enkidu, a wild man who became civilized was created by the gods to stop Gilgamesh from oppressing the people of Uruk. Enkidu challenged Gilgamesh to a test of strength. Gilgamesh won and the two later became friends. Together they slayed the Guardian of the Forest. They also battled the goddess Ishtar and the Bull of Heaven, killing the Bull but Enkidu was killed by sickness by the gods in revenge. In the second half of the Epic, Gilgamesh sought the secret of eternal life after the loss of his friend Enkidu. He sought advice from Utnapishtim, who told him of the Great Flood. Utnapishtim was called by the god Enki to build a great ship to survive the flood, a parallel to Noah of the Bible. He also sought advice from Siduri, a female god. Major theme of Epic: death is inevitable and immortality is unattainable.
The Enuma Elish (The Seven Tablets of Creation) Mesopotamian (Babylonian) creation myth, a major source of Babylonian worldview. Includes mythological accounts of the Creation of the world, the battle between gods, the creation of man, and their obligation to serve the gods. The oldest copy, 7th century B.C., content from 2nd millennium B.C. up to 1900 B.C.
Other Mesopotamian Creation Myths include Atra-Hasis (natural disasters and a great flood), and the similar Eridu Genesis.
Adapa myth parallels the fall of man. Immortality is a constant theme in Mesopotamian epics, along with human obligation to serve the gods who created them. Plagues, droughts, and great floods are common events, paralleling the Bible.
EGYPTIAN LITERATURE
The Pyramid Texts of Egypt are the oldest religious writings in the world. The text is inscribed on the walls of the pyramids by Unas, the first pharaoh to inscribe the walls of his pyramid at Saqqarah with religious texts. He was the last pharaoh of the fifth dynasty 2325 B.C. The texts mention the first written reference to the god Osiris. The texts were written to protect the king and ensure blessings in the next life. The texts were reserved for the pharaoh only and not illustrated.
GREEK LITERATURE
The Iliad by Homer is an epic 8th century B.C. Greek epic poem and describes the events and struggles of last year of the Trojan war between the city of Troy and the Mycenean Greeks. Achilles is the main character and the greatest warrior in the world. The epic begins nine years into the war, which began because the son of the king of Troy kidnapped Helen of the brother of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae. Hector was a Trojan prince and greatest warrior for Troy but was killed by Achilles. Priam was king of Troy and father of Hector and Paris. Helen of Troy, "the most beautiful woman in the world" was married to Paris. The Iliad had a main theme of war and its effects, but also included themes of honor, pride, humanity, fate, glory, duty, and love.
The Odyssey by Homer, 8th century B.C., describes the Greek epic of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his journey home after the Trojan War, a ten-year war. Odysseus and his journey lasts ten years longer during which he leaves home to help Queen Helen of Sparta and many struggles occur after angering the gods. His wife Penelope and son Telemachus think he is dead and deal with potential new suitors who are unsuitable for marriage. Telemachus does not like the suitors and tries to fight them off from the palace. Odysseus was trapped on an island by the nymph Calypso but the gods eventually rescue him so he can return home and fight off the suitors who wanted to replace him in Ithaca. Odysseus and Penelope are reunited and peace is restored at the palace.
Aesop’s Fables (564 B.C.) by Aseop, a Greek storyteller and slave. Many of the characters in these short stories are animals or objects, (as opposed to parables, which feature humans as main characters) and each story demonstrates a moral lesson. As many as 725 of these fables or stories have been recorded. Aesop was born mute.
The Histories by Herodotus (430 B.C.) the Greek historian, is considered the founding work on history in western literature. Herodotus was considered the first true historian and wrote about the ancient Greeks and their struggles and wars against the Persian Empire. The history of the Scythian steppes, Lydia, and Sparta are also included along with writings about Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, and the Mediterranean region. Although the Biblical accounts of the Torah and Kings Chronicles are older, Herodotus is recognized as the first true historian outside the Bible.
Medea by Euripides, Greek tragedy (431 B.C.) Medea, a princess, gets revenge as her husband leaves her for another princess as she kills her husband’s new princess as well as her own two sons and escapes to start a new life in Athens.
Antigone by Sophocles, a Greek tragedy (441 B.C.) based on a Theban Greek legend. Two brothers fight in Thebes civil war against each other for the throne. The new ruler of Thebes promotes one brother and punishes the other.
Oedipus Rex (429 BC) By Sophocles Greek tragedy
Oresteia by Aeschylus, (5th century B.C.) trilogy of Greek tragedies. The murder of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, the trial, the end of the curse on the house of Atreus and the pacification of the Erinyes. The Greek gods interacted with the characters. Themes of revenge and justice.
The Republic by Plato (375 B.C.) described a wise society run by a philosopher and is considered Plato's greatest work. The Republic is focused on society, politics, and justice of man. Society has three classes: the producers, the auxiliary (military), and the guardians. The speakers include Socrates. The four virtues are: wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice. Justice is worthwhile. Plato rejected Athenian democracy for mistaking anarchy for freedom and lack of unity. Plato was critical of democracy and prefered aristocratic kings. Therefore, Plato prefered aristocracy ruled by a philosopher-king as the ideal form of government. Plato described five regimes: Aristocracy, Timocracy, Oligarchy, Democracy, and Tyranny.
The Symposium by Plato (370 B.C.) describes a banquet where men including Socrates take turns giving speeches focused on praising love and defining it in the philosophical sense.
Apology by Plato (399 B.C.) is an account of Socrates' defense speech where he is charged with not recognizing the gods of Athens and corrupting the youth.
History of the Peloponnesian War (431 B.C.) by Thucydides Greek Battle between Athens and Sparta
ROMAN LITERATURE of the first Roman Empire
The Aeneid by Virgil, (19 B.C.) a Roman poem, accounts Aeneas, a Trojan who traveled to Italy and became the ancestor of the Romans. The Aenid tells the story of the foundation of Rome as Trojans flee from their defeat by the Greeks at Troy and sail for Italy to found the city of Rome. Aeneid is mostly fiction, but there are some historical references in the book. Theme: perseverance. The book was popular among Romans. Aeneas' son did found a nearby town to Rome with strong connections to the city, therefore, the book has some historical validity. Legend says brothers Romulus and Remus founded the city of Rome (753 B.C.), whose ancestors are believed to be a mixture of Trojans and Italians. Romans loved the book because it connected their history to the longer ancient Greek history.
Metamorphoses by Ovid, the Roman poet, (8 A.D.), a narrative poem containing many myths, legendary stories, and genres chronicling the history of the world from creation to Rome and Julius Caesar. Themes: Transformation and love. Ovid's most famous work.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor (161-180 A.D.), his personal ideas on Stoic philosophy, this work contains 12 books written in Greek. The writings were never intended to be published. Stoic philosophy has Greek origins and focuses on personal ethics and logic.
Confessions by St Augustine 400 A.D. An Autobiography. Also wrote City of God and On Christian Doctrine.
ASIAN LITERATURE
Mahabharata (350) B.C. Indian Epic “the greatest Indian epic”
The Bhagavad Gita by Krishna
China's Four Great Novels:
Dream of the Red Chamber (1791) China's Greatest Novel, love story
Monkey King, Journey to the West, 16th century Chinese novel
Water Margin, 14th century Chinese Outlaws Fight Invaders
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, 14th century power struggle between the three kingdoms of the Han Dynasty
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu 6th century B.C. Taoism philosophy
The Art of War by Sun Tzu 5th century B.C. Chinese warfare, military strategy
Tale of Genji 12th century Japanese literature
Arabian Knights (1001 Knights) Middle Ages folk tales from Arabia, 7th century, published 18th century
Shahnameh by Ferdowsi (11th century) “The Book of Kings” Zoroastrian traditions, Persian history
Secret History of the Mongols (13th century) oldest literature in Mongolian language account of Genghis Khan after his death
Epic of Manas (1792) Kyrgyzstan epic, events of 9th century Central Asia
EUROPEAN LITERATURE Western Canon after the breakup of the first Roman Empire
Beowulf (8th-11th century) Britain’s National Epic and Nordic nations, dragon fighting, battles between nations
Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer 13th century medieval literature
Nibelungenlied (13th century) German epic, dragon fighting, and fighting enemies
Song of Roland (11th-12th century) French epic fighting invading nations
Saga of Grettir the Strong (13th-14th century) Icelandic Sagas, Viking diaspora, paganism to Christianity
Orlando Furioso (15th century) Italian Epic of war
Divine Comedy by Dante 1321 Medieval Italian poetry
Luisads (1572) Portuguese Epic story of explorer Vasco de Gama and Portuguese imperialism
Essays (1580) Montaigne, French
Faerie Queen (1590) English epic poem Knight seeks woman
Paradise Lost (1667) John Milton, Protestant Epic Biblical parallels
Servant of Two Masters 1746 Italian Comedy
Rape of the Lock (1714) British poetic satire between two London families
Don Juan Lord Byron 19th century English literature
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (1869) Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812 and 19th century Russian society. Realism theme.
Shakespeare 1600's
Gulliver's Travels Jonathan Swift 1726
Don Quixote 1605 Spanish novel Cervantes
Candide, Voltaire 1759 French satire
Misanthropy (1666) by Moliere, satire of French Aristocracy
Prince 1532 by Machiavelli Italian politics 16th century
Italian Journey Goethe 18th century German writer
Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen 19th century British novel
Oliver Twist Charles Dickens
Betrothed Italian novel
Pinocchio an Italian novel
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo a French novel
Anna Karenina, a Leo Tolstoy novel
In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust
AMERICAN LITERATURE
William Faulkner
Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer Mark Twain
Moby Dick Herman Melville
The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald
TS Elliot
Old Man and the Sea Hemingway
John Steinback Of Mice and Men, Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden
Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne
Invisible Man Ralph Ellison
To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee
Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury