Demigods vs. monsters, petty gods and kings, dramatic poetry, and way too many genealogies – these are just a few of the elements that have made epics stir the hearts of men for millennia.
But if you’re only familiar with Greco Roman and Nordic epics, you’re in for a treat – cultures around the world have told epic poems and oral legends since the beginning of time. I’ll highlight 16 major works from these regions:
- Mediterranean and the Near East
- Gilgamesh, Homer, The Aeneid, Shahnameh
- Europe
- Beowulf, Volsunga Saga, The Táin, The Kalevala
- Asia
- Ramayana, Mahabharata, The Epic of King Gesar, Darangen
- Africa
- Mwindo, The Epic of Sundiata
- Americas
- The Popol Vuh
Note that, of the works on this list, only 6 were actually recorded during antiquity – Gilgamesh, The Iliad, The Odyssey, The Aeneid, The Mahabharata, and The Ramayana. The rest were either written during the Middle Ages, or are more recent compilations of culturally significant oral epics that have been passed down for generations.
According to a scholar of medieval literature that I consulted online, most scholars categorize literature according to the age it was written in, rather than by the story’s time of origin, theme, or setting.
But I’ve designed this post to serve as a reading list for people who love legendary, heroic, and mythic tales, so I’ve included works that feature a culture’s oldest, definitive epic traditions, regardless of when they were put on paper.
Most of these are narrative poems, some feature a mix of prose and verse, and a few are written purely in prose. I chose translations that capture the original beauty and style of the verse/prose, while still maintaining accuracy.
This article contains affiliate links – I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
So let’s dive in!
Mediterranean and the Near East
Gilgamesh – Mesopotamia
Gilgamesh is the oldest known epic in the world, inscribed in cuneiform on clay tablets. It tells the story of King Gilgamesh and his dear friend Enkidu, their adventures together before Enkidu’s tragic death, and Gilgamesh’s following epistemological crisis about life and death.
“How can I keep silent? How can I stay quiet?
My friend, whom I loved, has turned to clay,
my friend Enkidu, whom I loved has turned to clay.
Shall I not be like him, and also lie down,
never to rise again, through all eternity?”
― Gilgamesh
Modern Version of Gilgamesh
Here’s a three part illustrated version suitable for kids (pictured above). I’ve heard great things about this novelization by Emily H. Wilson as well!
Homer – Greece
The Iliad
The Iliad tells 10 days of the Trojan War, including Achilles’ refusal to fight for the Greeks after his King takes one of his female prizes, Patroclus’ tragic death, and Achilles’ revenge upon Hector.
“Sing, goddess, the anger of Peleus’ son Achilleus
and its devastation, which put pains thousandfold upon the Achaians,
hurled in their multitudes to the house of Hades strong souls
of heroes, but gave their bodies to be the delicate feasting
of dogs, of all birds, and the will of Zeus was accomplished
since that time when first there stood in division of conflict
Atreus’ son the lord of men and brilliant Achilleus.”
― The exordium of The Iliad, Richard Lattimore (translator)
Modern Version of The Iliad
Rosemary Sutcliff wrote a beautiful version of the Iliad called Black Ships Before Troy, accompanied by stunning illustrations by Alan Lee (Art Direction, The Lord of the Rings). And I will never not laugh at Overly Sarcastic Productions’ description of Achilles as a “sulky burrito.”
The Odyssey
The Odyssey tells of Odysseus’ decade-long attempt to get home after the war, impeded by angry gods, sea monsters, and idiot companions.
“Tell me, Muse, of the man of many ways, who was driven
far journeys, after he had sacked Troy’s sacred citadel.
Many were they whose cities he saw, whose minds he learned of,
many the pains he suffered in his spirit on the wise sea,
struggling for his own life and the homecoming of his companions.
Even so he could not save his companions, hard though
he strove to; they were destroyed by their own wild recklessness…
here, goddess, daughter of Zeus, speak, and begin our story.”
― The exordium of The Odyssey, Richard Lattimore (translator)
Modern Version of The Odyssey
Gareth Hinds has created a lovely collection of graphic novel renditions of various classics, including The Iliad and The Odyssey. The Usborne Illustrated Odyssey is great for younger children.
The Aeneid – Rome
Roman fan fiction of Homer! The Romans thought it’d be super cool to have an origin story that connected them to the epic tales of Greek heroes, so Virgil got busy making a pretty propaganda piece about how the survivors of Troy, led by Aeneas, completed their own odyssey to find and establish a new land – Rome.
“I sing of arms and of a man: his fate
had made him fugitive; he was the first
to journey from the coasts of Troy as far
as Italy and the Lavinian shores.
Across the lands and waters he was battered
beneath the violence of high ones, for
the savage Juno’s unforgetting anger;
and many sufferings were his in war-
until he brought a city into being
and carried in his gods to Latium;
from this have come the Latin race, the lords
of Alba and the ramparts of high Rome.”
― The exordium of The Aeneid, Allen Mandelbaum (translator)
Modern Version of The Aeneid
The Aeneid for Boys & Girls is a lovely modern telling, accessible for kids and adults alike. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find many illustrated versions of The Aeneid, unlike for Homer’s works, which have many! Though there is a recent graphic novel.
Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings – Iran
The Shahnameh is an epic poem of about 50,000 distichs or couplets, composed by the poet Abolqasem Ferdowsi between the years 980 and 1010. He referenced prior histories and verses to compile the story of pre-Islamic Iran, beginning with Creation myths and continuing until the Arab invasion in the seventh century.
“I turn to right and left, in all the earth
I see no signs of justice, sense or worth:
A man does evil deeds, and all his days
Are filled with luck and universal praise;
Another’s good in all he does – he dies
A wretched, broken man whom all despise.”
― Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings, Abolghasem Ferdowsi
Modern Version of The Shahnameh
Unfortunately, the “definitive translation” by Dick Davis, linked above, is already told mostly in prose, with snippets of verse scattered throughout. There is an earlier translation in full verse available on The Internet Archive, but it uses older English (“thou”), which makes it harder to understand. Since the leading version is already more of a summary than a direct translation of the full poem, I’d probably choose to read this gorgeously illustrated edition instead, which is actually how I first discovered the Shahnameh (my library had a copy)!
Europe
Beowulf – Norse
Beowulf is an Old English poem, written between 975 and 1025 AD, but set in pagan Scandinavia in the 5th and 6th centuries. It tells of how the warrior Beowulf defeats the monster Grendel, and then his mother (in a famous underwater battle), before sacrificing himself to defeat a dragon.
“So. The Spear-Danes in days gone by
and the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness.
We have heard of those princes’ heroic campaigns.
There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes,
a wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes.
This terror of the hall-troops had come far… That was one good king.”
― Beowulf, Seamus Heaney (translator)
Modern Version of Beowulf
This is a lovely illustrated version, great for kids. There’s also an edition of Seamus Heaney’s translation that includes photos of helmets, horns, and other materials from the time.
The Saga of the Volsungs – Norse
The Saga of the Volsungs is a late 13th century heroic saga, but in prose, rather than verse (excepting the prologue). It tells of the rise and fall of the Volsung clan, including the famous portion of Sigurd killing the serpent dragon Fáfnir.
“O hearken, ye who speak the English Tongue
How in a waste land ages long ago
The very heart of the North bloomed into song
After long brooding o’er this tale of woe!
Hearken, and marvel how it might be so,
That such a sweetness so well crowned could be
Betwixt the ice-hills and the cold grey sea.”
― The prologue of the Volsunga Saga, Eiríkr Magnússon, William Morris (translators)
Additional Nordic Epics
You may also have heard of the Poetic Edda, a collection of anonymous Icelandic narrative poems in alliterative verse, thought to have been composed sometime in the 9th-11th centuries. It’s more fragmented, and less of a cohesive epic, essentially like Ovid, but for Norse myths.
The Nibelungenlied is an epic chivalric tale (predates the romance) that recounts many of the stories present in the Edda and Volsunga Saga. However, it is much more Christian, containing less of the original pagan mythic content.
Modern Version of the Volsunga and Edda
This is a lovely compilation of legendary Nordic works: Ultimate Norse and Germanic Mythology Collection: The Prose Edda, The Poetic Edda, The Volsung Saga, and Beowulf, full of beautiful illustrations.
The Táin (Táin Bó Cúailnge) – Irish
The Táin has its origin in Irish oral tradition, but wasn’t written down until the Middle Ages. Often referred to as “The Irish Iliad,” it is actually written in prosimetrum, alternating prose and verse.
Also known as The Cattle Raid of Cooley, it tells of a Queen who, to spite her husband’s wealth, raids a neighboring kingdom to steal a great bull. Only a young demigod steps up to defend his land in single combat, since his king’s entire army is burdened by a curse. Tragically, he must face his best friend in battle.
“I am alone against hordes
I cannot stop nor let go
I stand here in the long cold hours
alone against every foe.”
― The Táin, Ciaran Carson (translator)
Modern Version of The Táin
I found a modern illustrated children’s version of this tale by Alan Titley, but also loved this beautiful animated short that summarized the story.
Kalevala – Finnish
The Kalevala is a 19th-century compilation of Karelian and Finnish oral folklore and mythology, collected through the many trips of Elias Lönnrot. It tells the story of creation, voyages and wars, and of a legendary wealth-making machine. Kalevala poetry was also known as runic song, often in alliterative trochaic tetrameter, and incorporating call and response, choralists, and dancing hand in hand.
“I am wanting, I am thinking
To arise and go forth singing.
Sing my songs and say my
sayings,
Hymns ancestral harmonizing,
Lore of kindred lyricking.
In my mouth the words are
melting;
Utterances overflowing
To my tongue are hurrying,
Even against my teeth they
burst.”
― Prelude from The Kalevala Runo 1 – Creation and the Birth of Väinämöinen
Modern Version of the Kalevala
Kirsti Mäkinen (Author) and Pirkko-Liisa Surojegin (Illustrator) created a beautifully illustrated prose version of the Kalevala which also includes snippets of verse on each page – accessible for children.
Asia
Ramayana – India
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic (smriti) that narrates the life of Prince Rama, the seventh avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu, following his adventures during a long exile, and his eventual crowning. It is attributed to Valmiki, and was likely written between the 7th and 5th centuries BC.
“O Ayodhya!
Architects designed you
to be beautiful,
gracious and strong.
Untouched by enemies,
invincible behind towering gates
with a wide moat circling your waist,
your brave and noble warriors
could find their target through sound alone.”
― The Ramayana: A New Retelling of Valmiki’s Ancient Epic, by Linda Egenes
Modern Version of the Ramayana
I dislike a lot of modern renditions of epics because they not only lose the beauty of the original verse or language, but they often just feel like a summary. That gets boring in a hurry. But this lyrical modern prose rendition of the Ramayana reads more like a novel!
Mahabharata – India
The other major Hindu epic, the Mahabharata tells of the tragic war between two factions of princely cousins, the Kauravas and the 5 Pāṇḍavas brothers, and their famous wife Draupadi. Attributed to Vyāsa, and composed over many centuries, starting in the 3rd century BC, it is often known as “the longest written epic poem in the world.”
“…I bless the name of Sarasvati,
goddess of deep learning and of art,
she who can touch a poet’s tongue with silver.
To her I dedicate my epic poem.
This is the tale of a tragic dynasty;
a narrative of hatred, honor, courage,
of virtue, love, ideals and wickedness,
and of a war so terrible, it marked
the threshold between one age and the next.”
― Mahabharata: A Modern Retelling by Carole Satyamurti
Modern Version of the Mahabharata
I really enjoyed this podcast audio drama by Sudipta Bhawmik, though I certainly recommend keeping a cast list handy since it’s way too easy to lose track of all the characters and their names. This prose rendering by Ramesh Ramon reads like historical fiction!
The Epic of King Gesar – Tibet
The Epic of King Gesar is drawn from centuries of oral traditions, combining cultural, literary, musical, historical, and religious values of Tibet, focusing on the tales of a superhuman warrior king. It includes some 120 volumes, and it looks like, so far, only a small portion of it has been translated into English so far.
“The white smoke of the juniper rises
Fragrant and dense from the burning coals,
Billowing into an empty shining sky,
A vast mirror-like expanse
Unclouded by the shadow of birth or fear of death.
There, descending on this perfumed bridge of smoke and longing,
Swirling and whirling in the smoke clouds, as in a gathering storm,
Surrounded by a host of mounted Drala and Werma warriors,
Whose golden armor and steel sword blades glitter like lightning,
Rides the ever great and youthful conqueror,
Gesar, King of Ling, Lord of the four kinds of warrior.”
― The Warrior Song of King Gesar, Douglas Penick
Modern Version of The Epic of King Gesar
The Warrior Song of King Gesar (excerpt above) seems like a captivating compilation of multiple parts of the tale. Shambhala Publication’s has translated the first 4 volumes of the epic more literally from the beginning, and they’ve published numerous other books about him, but I found the Warrior Song version more compelling. There seem to be a number of beautifully illustrated versions, but most are only available in expensive hardcover or sadly out of print.
Darangen – Philippines
The Darangen is a collection of pre-Islamic Philippine tales, passed down orally for generations. It has 72,000 lines divided into 17 cycles in iambic tetrameter or catalectic trochaic tetrameter. To perform the full cycle through song and dance takes a week! It tells of the grand city of Bembaran ruled by the main hero, Prince Bantugan.
“And now I shall commence my tale
Beginning with the time of the
Enthronement of the first ruler
Called Diwata Ndaw Gibon.
His kingdom was one vacant space
Because he had as yet no wife,
No fair partner to grace his throne
And help him organize the place,
Nor were there any settlements
No subjects to people a town
For this lord was indeed alone.”
― Darangen, recorded by The Folklore Division University Research Center Mindanao State University
Modern Version of the Darangen
Unfortunately, the translation I linked above is a bit awkward and not very engaging to read. It’s also only an excerpt from a book which seems out of print, though it is available at multiple libraries around the U.S. I was not able to find any modern or illustrated versions. But there are some great recordings of live performances by the efforts of UNESCO. I hope we’ll start seeing some lovely renditions and retellings in the future!
China?
China has a massive body of literature, including histories, poetry, religious works, and more. They did not seem to favor long-form narrative poems, though the Epic of Darkness, dated back to the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD), was recently discovered. It features the creation myths and flood narratives of the Han people, including the tale of Pangu. No English translation exists yet, as far as I could find.
More people recommend the Four Great Classic Novels, particularly The Journey to the West, as an example of China’s cultural and mythic epics. I love this animated series about the Monkey King!
Africa
The Mwindo – Congo
The Mwindo epic is an oral tale from the Congo told by the Nyanga people, traditionally performed by a bard through dance and noisemakers like bells and a calabash rattle. The audience would participate, singing along, and young men would accompany the bard on percussion. It tells the tale of a boy with magical powers whose father tries to kill him, spurring him on a series of quests.
“I am Mwindo,
the one born walking,
the one born talking.
My father She-Mwindo does not want me.
My father the chief wants to kill me.
But what can he do against me?”
― The Magic Flyswatter: A Superhero Tale of Africa, Retold from the Mwindo Epic by Aaron Shepard
Modern Version of the Mwindo
This is a fun retelling that includes a mix of prose and verse. It reads like a novel for kids, but I enjoyed it as an adult too! You can find a more official translation here.
More Oral Epics From Africa
Africa is rich with oral traditions, poems, and songs. This is a lovely site that includes many excerpts. The Epic of Sundiata is also well known, but chronicles the creation of the Empire of Mali, a Medieval, not ancient, kingdom of West Africa. The Liyongo Epic is another that tells of a Medieval Swahili warrior chieftain.
Americas
The Popol Vuh – Mesoamerica
The Popol Vuh began as Mayan oral tradition millennia ago, telling of the world’s creation, the acts of the gods, and the founding of the K’iche’ kingdom. In the mid-sixteenth century, during the European conquest, members of the nobility wrote it down in an attempt to preserve their culture, and it was later translated into Spanish, and the original document lost.
“This is the account of when all is still silent and placid. All is silent and calm. Hushed and empty is the womb of the sky. These, then, are the first words, the first speech. There is not yet one person, one animal, bird, fish, crab, tree, rock, hollow, canyon, meadow, or forest. All alone the sky exists. The face of the earth has not yet appeared.”
― Allen J. Christenson (translator), Popol Vuh: The Sacred Book of the Maya
Modern Version of the Popol Vuh
Ilan Stevans has written a modern retelling of the Popol Vuh, complete with illustrations by Salvadoran folk artist Gabriela Larios. One reviewer said, “the art is so beautiful I wish it was available as prints.”
More mythic narratives from the Americas
While there is a difference between myths and epics, it’s quite sad that there aren’t more remaining works from Pre-Colombian Americas. So I thought I’d also include this great online database of Native American myths and legends. They focus more on tales from North American tribes, but include some from Central and South America as well.
Epics about Medieval Times
Many of the epics above were written during the Middle Ages, but about ancient legends or events that occurred through late antiquity (Beowulf, Volsunga). A number of other epics recount historical events that happened during the height of the Middle Ages, with far less mythic content.
The Epic of Sundiata – West Africa
The Sundiata is an epic poem of the Malinke people that tells of the hero Sundiata Keita (died 1255), founder of the Mali Empire. It was passed down orally for generations.
The Song of Roland – France
The Song of Roland is an 11th-century medieval poem (chanson de geste) about the feats of Frankish military leader Roland at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in AD 778, during the reign of Charlemagne. It is the oldest surviving major work of French literature.
Cantar de mio Cid – Spain
The Song of My Cid is an anonymous Castilian epic poem based on the true story of hero and Medieval knight Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar—known as El Cid—who fought for the unification of Spain during the eleventh century.
The Tale of the Heike – Japan
An epic prose account (compiled prior to 1330) of the struggle between two clans to control Japan in the Genpei War (1180–1185). This was a major influence on other feudal samurai content.
The Secret History of the Mongols and The Epic of Jangar – Mongolia
The Mongolian Tuuli is an oral tradition comprising heroic epics that run from hundreds to thousands of lines and combine spells, fairy tales, myths and folk songs. The most famous ones tell the tale of Genghis Khan and his children.
Dates of Ancient Epics
What do you love most about ancient, mythic epics?
Hi, I’m Caylah Coffeen, a freelance editor and marketer of sci-fi and fantasy books. I love reading and writing and am a follower of Jesus Christ.
I’ve worked for Monster Ivy Publishing and Eschler Editing, and am currently a weekly editor with Havok Publishing. Reach out to chat about books and publishing!
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