The Most Famous Epic, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the epic you think is the most famous!
Updated on Apr 17, 2024 08:09
In the tapestry of human culture, epics stand as towering testaments to our collective storytelling traditions. They stitch together the values, dreams, and fears of a society into a narrative that spans generations and continues to inspire countless individuals around the world. Determining which epic resonates the most universally can provide us with insights into the shared human experience and the qualities that make a story truly timeless and globally revered.
By participating in this interactive ranking, users contribute to a lively dialogue that bridges diverse perspectives, shedding light on why certain epics have sustained their appeal across different cultures and epochs. Your votes matter, as they help identify and celebrate the masterpieces of literary history that have shaped, and continue to shape, our worldviews. This live ranking not only entertains but enriches our understanding of the power of epic narratives.
Who Is the Most Famous Epic?
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164votesIt is one of the oldest and most significant works of Western literature, depicting the Trojan War and detailing the heroism and tragedy of its characters.
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234votesAnother epic poem by Homer, it tells the story of Odysseus' ten-year journey home after the Trojan War.
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328votesThis Old English epic poem tells the story of a warrior named Beowulf who battles monsters and dragons to protect his people. It is considered one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature.Beowulf is an Old English epic poem that depicts the heroic deeds and thrilling adventures of the legendary Geatish warrior Beowulf. The poem encompasses battles against terrifying monsters, as well as themes of honor, courage, and the inevitability of mortality. It is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential works of literature in the English language.
- Genre: Epic poetry
- Language: Old English
- Setting: Scandinavia and Denmark
- Theme: Heroism and mortality
- Main Characters: Beowulf, King Hrothgar, Grendel, Grendel's Mother
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412votes
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
Dante AlighieriThis epic poem is considered a masterpiece of Italian literature, depicting Dante's journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven.The Divine Comedy is an epic poem written by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri. It is considered one of the greatest works of literature from the Middle Ages and is divided into three parts: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The poem follows the journey of the main character, Dante, through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, guided by the spirit of the poet Virgil and later by his beloved Beatrice. It explores themes of theology, morality, human suffering, and the nature of salvation.- Title: The Divine Comedy
- Genre: Epic poem
- Language: Italian
- Publication Date: Written between 1308 and 1320
- Structure: Divided into three parts: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri in other rankings- Position 9 of 10 in Most difficult book to read
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516votesThis epic poem explores the fall of Satan and the temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It is considered one of the greatest works of English literature.
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615votesThis ancient Mesopotamian epic tells the story of a king named Gilgamesh and his quest for immortality. It is considered one of the earliest surviving works of literature.
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712votesThis Indian epic poem tells the story of a great war between two families and is considered one of the longest poems in world literature.The Mahabharata is a Hindu epic that is considered one of the most important texts in ancient Indian literature. It is a narrative of the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kaurava and Pandava princes. The epic explores themes of righteousness, duty, and moral dilemmas.
- Length: The Mahabharata consists of 18 books, with a total of over 200,000 verses.
- Characters: It features numerous characters, including gods, warriors, sages, and kings.
- Philosophical Teachings: The epic contains important teachings of Hindu philosophy, including the Bhagavad Gita.
- Family Drama: The Mahabharata delves into complex family relationships and conflicts, including rivalries and political alliances.
- War Strategy: The Kurukshetra War, a major part of the epic, showcases detailed military strategies and battle plans.
The Mahabharata in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular epic in the world
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89votesThis epic poem tells the story of the Trojan prince Aeneas and his journey to establish a new home in Italy. It is considered one of the greatest works of Latin literature.
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95votes
Sahibdin · Public domainThe Ramayana
ValmikiThis Indian epic poem tells the story of the prince Rama and his battle against the demon king Ravana. It is considered one of the most important works of Hindu literature.The Ramayana is a famous ancient Hindu epic literature that narrates the life story of Prince Rama, his wife Sita, and his loyal monkey ally Hanuman. It is considered one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient Indian literature, the other being the Mahabharata. The Ramayana is attributed to the sage Valmiki.- Language: Sanskrit
- Genre: Epic
- Religion: Hinduism
- Original manuscript: Composed in Sanskrit
- Number of chapters: 24,000 verses
The Ramayana in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular epic in the world
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104votesThis French epic poem tells the story of Roland, a knight who fights against the invading Muslim army of Spain. It is considered one of the earliest and greatest works of French literature.The Song of Roland is a medieval epic poem that tells the heroic and tragic story of Roland, a warrior in Charlemagne's court. The poem centers around the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778 AD, where Roland valiantly defends Charlemagne's army against a powerful enemy force.
- Genre: Epic poem
- Language: Old French
- Length: Approximately 4,000 lines
- Setting: Medieval France and Spain
- Themes: Heroism, loyalty, morality, honor, Christian faith
The Song of Roland in other rankings- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular epic in the world
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Ranking factors for famous epic
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Cultural influence and impactHow much has the epic influenced the culture of the society it comes from, and how much impact has it had on subsequent cultures and literary works?
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Popularity and receptionHow widely known and recognized is the epic, and how has it been received by critics and the general public?
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Artistic achievementHow well-crafted is the work, and how effective are its use of language, storytelling, and character development?
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Historical significanceHow does the epic reflect the values, beliefs, and experiences of the culture and time period in which it was written?
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Endurance and longevityHow enduring is the epic, and how well has it stood the test of time?
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
- 2427 views
- 204 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.
More information on most famous epic
Background Information: Who is the Most Famous Epic?
Epics are long narrative poems that tell the story of a hero or a group of heroes who undertake a dangerous journey or accomplish a great feat. They often feature gods and other supernatural beings and are set in a distant and mythical past. Epics have been a part of human culture for thousands of years, and many of them have become famous for their timeless themes and universal appeal.
One of the most famous epics of all time is Homer's "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey." These ancient Greek poems tell the story of the Trojan War and the hero Odysseus' ten-year journey home after the war. "The Iliad" is known for its depiction of the epic battle between the Greeks and the Trojans, while "The Odyssey" is admired for its exploration of the human condition and the nature of heroism.
Another famous epic is the Indian epic "Mahabharata," which tells the story of a great war between two royal families and their struggle for power. The poem is notable for its complex characters and its exploration of moral and philosophical issues.
Other well-known epics include the Sumerian "Epic of Gilgamesh," the medieval English poem "Beowulf," and the Finnish epic "Kalevala." Each of these epics has its own unique style and themes, but all share a common thread of exploring the human experience through larger-than-life characters and epic adventures.
Overall, the most famous epic is ultimately subjective and depends on individual
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