Ramayana is a great Indian epic poem written in 5th

century BC. It is the oldest and most popular epic of

Indian sub continent, believed to be written by Valmiki.
It is written in Sanskrit, one of the earliest Indo -
European languages, and has around 2400 couplets in
seven sections. Ramayana means "the journey of
Rama". It depicts the conflict between Rama, the
incarnation of God Vishnu, and Ravana who can be
taken as the representative of evil forces and the final
victory of the God incarnated Rama in safeguarding
the Dharma (Universal moral order).
Mahabharata is one of the great Indian epic compiled around 8th
century BC. This epic poem has about one lakh couplets in Sanskrit
and it can be considered as the longest epic poem of the world. This
ancient epic deals with the rivalry between cousins - Kauravas and
Pandavas - of a great ruling family of India . The armies of the two
groups meet at the battleground at Kurushetra in which the Pandavas
can destroy the Kauravas. The epic consists of thousands of mythical
and historical stories
Iliad is one of the most celebrated and well known epics of the
world. It is believed to be written by in 9th century BC by Homer.
This poem is based on the legend of Trojan war. Iliad means the
tale of ilia's or the tale of troy. It narrates the story of the Greek
struggle to rescue Helen, from Trojans, the wrath of Achilles and
subsequent destruction of Troy.
Odyssey is believed to be written in 9th century B.C by Homer the
great Greek poet. It describes the exploits of the Odysseus during
his homecoming after the fall of Troy. This great epic follows the
Aristotelian conventions of epic poem. The poem describes the
obstacles faced by Odysseus, varied tests of gods that he had
undergone, his affair with nymph Calypso on the homecoming
voyage, and his return to his kingdom.
Orlando Furioso is a famous epic with full of supernatural,
allegorical and romantic adventures. The main theme of the epic
is the war between Christians and pagans. Even though Ariosto,
the writer, has depended much on the Graeco -Roman literary
tradition of earlier writers for characters and incidents, it is a
great epic poem due to his smooth versification and technical
facility which make the poem vigorous and brilliant, with ironic
and humorous contrasts
Divine Comedy is a celebrated epic poem written by Dante in 14th
century. The narrator is lost in a forest. The poet narrator meets
Virgil who guides him through the world after death. Virgil takes him
through Hell. They go through the base of the purgatory and he can
see the terraces of it where the sins of those who are ultimately to
be saved are cleansed away. Then Beatrice guides him to the
ultimate heaven. The poem ends with his moment of illumination
and the vision of trinity.
Beowulf, one of the earliest epic of the world, is based on a
Scandinavian legend. It was written around 750 AD by an
anonymous writer and it has about 3000 lines.
Beowulf, the great warrior hero, saves Horthgar, the king of Danes,
from the attack of Grendel, a terrible monster, by killing it.
Grendel's mother attacks him to avenge the death of his son. In the
fight, Beowulf kills the mother - monster also, but he gets a mortal
wound in the fight and succumbs to it.
This epic, the most celebrated survival from Old English literature,
is also the earliest extant poem in a modern European language.
Paradise Lost is one of the greatest English literary epic based on
the theme of fall of man given in the old Testament and it was
written in 17th century by John Milton. The great poet wrote it " to
justify the ways of god to man". The epic poem begins with the the
Satan's devilish plans to to take revenge against god for his
expulsion from heaven. Some critics has opined that Milton's Satan
is the hero of the epic poem due to the excellent depiction and
exposition of that character. This epic is celebrated for Milton's
grand style, his interpretation of Biblical myth and Christian
doctrine.
Shah Name is great Persian epic based on the historical
and mythical accounts of around fifty Persian kings. Shah
Name means "book of kings". The epic begins the
mythical creation of Persia and ends in the narration of
the stories of historical kings. The most famous story of
Shah Name is about the legendary king of Rostam and
Sohrab, his son.
Aeneid is a great epic which is based on the legend of Aeneas. It
is Roman nationalistic and patriotic poem which narrates the
evolution of great Roman empire. This poem shows great dramatic
skill of high order and power of description. Aeneas decides to
establish a secure kingdom for his people in Italy. During the long
and perilous voyage for it their ships are wreaked on the coast of
Africa. The Dido of Carthage invites them which prolongs their
voyage. In the next voyage, they reach Latinum, ruled by Latinus.
Aeneas marries his daughter Lavinia after killing Turanus, another
suitor of her. He establishes a city of lavinium which becomes a
base for great Roman empire later.