Spanish literature, the body of literary works produced in Spain.

Such works fall into three major

language divisions: Castilian, Catalan, and Galician. This article provides a brief historical account of each
of these three literatures and examines the emergence of major genres.

Although literature in the vernacular was not written until the medieval period, Spain had previously
made significant contributions to literature. Lucan, Martial, Quintilian, and Prudentius, as well as Seneca
the Younger and Seneca the Elder, are among writers in Latin who lived in, or were born in, Spain before
the modern Romance languages emerged. Women were also writing in Spain during the Roman period:
Serena, believed to have been a poet; Pola Argentaria, the wife of Lucan, whom she is thought to have
assisted in writing his Pharsalia; and the poet and Stoic philosopher Teofila. For works written in Latin
during this period, see Latin literature: Ancient Latin literature. Later, the writings of Spanish Muslims
and Jews formed important branches of Arabic literature and Hebrew literature. The literature of the
former Spanish colonies in the Americas is treated separately under Latin American literature.