The Greatest Ancient Literature and Fiction Books of All Time on Legends
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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 352 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.
Genres
Ancient Literature refers to the body of written works produced during the earliest periods of human history, typically up until the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century AD. This category encompasses a diverse array of texts, including religious scriptures, epic poetry, philosophical treatises, historical accounts, and dramatic plays, originating from various civilizations such as the Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese, and Indians, among others. Notable works within this genre include the "Epic of Gilgamesh," Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey," the plays of Sophocles and Euripides, the philosophical writings of Plato and Aristotle, the "Mahabharata" and "Ramayana" from India, and the foundational texts of Confucianism and Taoism in China. Ancient literature provides invaluable insights into the thoughts, beliefs, and cultural practices of early societies, and continues to influence modern storytelling, philosophy, and ethics.
The Legends category of books encompasses stories that have been passed down through generations, often featuring mythical or historical figures. These tales are often steeped in folklore and are meant to inspire and entertain readers with their larger-than-life characters and epic adventures. From tales of gods and goddesses to heroic warriors and legendary creatures, Legends books transport readers to fantastical worlds where anything is possible.
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1. The Aeneid by Virgil
This epic poem tells the story of Aeneas, a Trojan who travels to Italy, where he becomes the ancestor of the Romans. It includes a series of prophecies about Rome's future and the deeds of heroic individuals, and is divided into two sections, the first illustrating the hero's journey and the second detailing the wars and battles that ensue as Aeneas attempts to establish a new home in Italy. The narrative is deeply imbued with themes of duty, fate, and divine intervention.
The 60th Greatest Book of All Time
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If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.
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