The Most Famous Epic, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the epic you think is the most famous!
Updated on May 25, 2024 07:42
Throughout history, epics have woven complex narratives that capture the essence of human experience, telling stories of heroes, adventures, and battles that continue to resonate through generations. These tales are not only foundational to the literature of many cultures but also provide us with insights into the values, struggles, and aspirations of the past. Creating a ranking for the most famous epics helps connect contemporary audiences with these powerful narratives, ensuring their enduring influence and relevance.
By participating in this ranking process, users actively contribute to a collective appreciation of these masterpieces. Each vote not only expresses a personal preference but also influences the visibility and legacy of these stories in modern culture. This democratic approach allows a broad spectrum of voices to determine which epics continue to inspire and entertain us today, promoting a vibrant discussion around their meanings and impact.
Who Is the Most Famous Epic?
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128votes
Beowulf
An Old English epic poem consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines. It is one of the most important works of Old English literature.- Author: Unknown
- Language: Old English
- Country: Anglo-Saxon England
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24votes
The Song of Roland
An epic poem based on the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778, during the reign of Charlemagne. It is the oldest surviving major work of French literature.- Author: Unknown
- Language: Old French
- Country: France
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30votes
The Odyssey
Another epic poem attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer, focusing on the hero Odysseus and his long journey home following the fall of Troy.- Author: Homer
- Language: Ancient Greek
- Country: Greece
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40votes
The Iliad
An ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer, detailing the Trojan War and the battles and events during the weeks of a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles.- Author: Homer
- Language: Ancient Greek
- Country: Greece
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50votes
Divine Comedy
An Italian long narrative poem by Dante Alighieri, begun c. 1308 and completed in 1320, a year before his death. It is widely considered to be the preeminent work in Italian literature and one of the greatest works of world literature.- Author: Dante Alighieri
- Language: Italian
- Country: Italy
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60votes
Epic of Gilgamesh
An epic poem from ancient Mesopotamia that is often regarded as the earliest surviving great work of literature.- Author: Unknown
- Language: Sumerian
- Country: Mesopotamia
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70votes
Paradise Lost
An epic poem in blank verse by the 17th-century English poet John Milton. The first version, published in 1667, consists of ten books with over ten thousand lines of verse.- Author: John Milton
- Language: English
- Country: England
In other topics -
80votes
Aeneid
A Latin epic poem, written by Virgil between 29 and 19 BC, that tells the legendary story of Aeneas, a Trojan who travelled to Italy, where he became the ancestor of the Romans.- Author: Virgil
- Language: Latin
- Country: Roman Empire
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90votes
Mahabharata
One of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, narrating the history of the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kaurava and the Pandava princes.- Author: Vyasa
- Language: Sanskrit
- Country: India
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100votes
Ramayana
An ancient Indian epic poem which narrates the struggle of the divine prince Rama to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.- Author: Valmiki
- Language: Sanskrit
- Country: India
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About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous epic. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Epic is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2554 views
- 32 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Epic once every 24 hours. The rank of each Epic is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
Additional Information
More about the Most Famous Epic
Rank #1 for the most famous epic: Beowulf (Source)
Epics have shaped cultures and histories for centuries. These long narrative poems tell stories of heroic deeds, grand adventures, and profound themes. They often blend myth, legend, and history, reflecting the values and beliefs of the societies that created them.
The hero of an epic is usually a figure of great importance. This character often has extraordinary strength, courage, or wisdom. The hero's journey is central to the story. It involves challenges, battles, and quests that test their character. These adventures often take place in vast settings, from kingdoms to the underworld.
Epics also feature a wide range of other characters. There are gods, monsters, and supernatural beings. Allies and enemies shape the hero's path. These characters add depth and complexity to the story.
The language of epics is elevated and formal. This style gives the story a sense of grandeur and importance. The use of repetition and formulaic expressions helps listeners remember the story. Oral tradition played a key role in preserving these tales before they were written down.
Themes in epics are timeless and universal. They explore the nature of heroism, the struggle between good and evil, and the quest for immortality. They also reflect the values of the society, such as honor, loyalty, and bravery.
Epics often begin in medias res, or in the middle of the action. This technique draws the audience in and creates a sense of immediacy. Flashbacks and other narrative devices fill in the background.
The influence of epics extends beyond literature. They inspire art, music, and film. They shape national identities and cultural heritage. Many modern works draw on epic themes and structures.
Despite their ancient origins, epics continue to captivate audiences. Their stories of adventure, heroism, and struggle resonate across time and place. They remind us of the power of storytelling and the enduring human spirit.
The hero of an epic is usually a figure of great importance. This character often has extraordinary strength, courage, or wisdom. The hero's journey is central to the story. It involves challenges, battles, and quests that test their character. These adventures often take place in vast settings, from kingdoms to the underworld.
Epics also feature a wide range of other characters. There are gods, monsters, and supernatural beings. Allies and enemies shape the hero's path. These characters add depth and complexity to the story.
The language of epics is elevated and formal. This style gives the story a sense of grandeur and importance. The use of repetition and formulaic expressions helps listeners remember the story. Oral tradition played a key role in preserving these tales before they were written down.
Themes in epics are timeless and universal. They explore the nature of heroism, the struggle between good and evil, and the quest for immortality. They also reflect the values of the society, such as honor, loyalty, and bravery.
Epics often begin in medias res, or in the middle of the action. This technique draws the audience in and creates a sense of immediacy. Flashbacks and other narrative devices fill in the background.
The influence of epics extends beyond literature. They inspire art, music, and film. They shape national identities and cultural heritage. Many modern works draw on epic themes and structures.
Despite their ancient origins, epics continue to captivate audiences. Their stories of adventure, heroism, and struggle resonate across time and place. They remind us of the power of storytelling and the enduring human spirit.
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