Ancient Echoes: Five Greatest Epic Poems That Shaped Civilisations
- Poonam Chaudhary
- Sep 21
- 5 min read
In a world increasingly driven by speed and technology, ancient epic poems continue to echo across cultures, reminding us of timeless values—honour, love, duty, and the search for meaning. From the battlefields of Troy to the forests of India and the courts of ancient Persia, these literary masterpieces are more than just grand stories; they are foundational texts that have shaped spiritual beliefs, national identities, and artistic traditions for millennia.
This feature explores five of the world’s greatest epic poems—India’s Mahabharata and Ramayana, Greece’s Iliad and Odyssey, and Persia’s Shahnameh—each a monumental work capturing the soul of its civilisation. These epics not only narrate legendary deeds and divine interventions but also wrestle with the complexities of human nature, moral conflict, and destiny.
As modern audiences revisit these epics through translations, performances, and popular media, their enduring relevance reveals a universal truth: though centuries apart and worlds away, the human quest for purpose and justice remains unchanged. Let us explore the five greatest epics of all time that have immortalised great civilisations of antiquity.
The Mahabharata - India’s Monumental Poem of Dharma and War
Regarded as one of the greatest epic poems in world literature, the Mahabharata is a monumental Sanskrit text from ancient India, purported to be composed and compiled between 400 BCE and 400 CE but believed to be much older than that. At nearly 100,000 couplets—seven times the length of The Iliad and The Odyssey combined—it is both a sweeping heroic narrative and a profound guide to Hindu moral law, or dharma.
Traditionally attributed to the sage Vyasa, the poem centers on the dynastic struggle between the Pandavas and the Kauravas—cousins whose rivalry erupts into the catastrophic battle of Kurukshetra. Through myth, legend, and philosophical discourse, the Mahabharata explores themes of justice, duty, and the spiritual path to liberation (moksha).
The story includes iconic episodes: the dice game that exiles the Pandavas, the shared marriage to Draupadi, and the Bhagavad Gita, a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna that has become a spiritual classic. Beyond its core war tale, the epic contains fables, theology, and accounts of pilgrimage sites.
More than history, the Mahabharata is an evolving cultural force—retold for centuries in art, literature, and performance across South and Southeast Asia, and still resonating with readers today.
The Ramayana – A Tale of Propriety, Morality and Divinity
The Ramayana, the shorter of India’s two great Sanskrit epics (the other being the Mahabharata), is a timeless tale of virtue, exile, and divine duty. Composed around 300 BCE and traditionally ascribed to the sage Valmiki, the epic consists of about 24,000 couplets across seven books. Its influence extends far beyond literature, shaping Indian festivals like Dussehra and Diwali, and inspiring countless adaptations across Asia.
At its heart is Rama—prince of Ayodhya and avatar of Vishnu—who is exiled to the forest with his devoted wife Sita and loyal brother Lakshmana. When Sita is abducted by the demon king Ravana, Rama embarks on an epic rescue, forging alliances with vanaras (monkey beings), including the devoted Hanuman. Rama’s triumph over Ravana symbolizes the victory of good over evil, yet the story’s moral complexity deepens when Rama later banishes Sita, despite her proven innocence.
The Ramayana is not only a heroic saga but a profound exploration of dharma—moral responsibility—even when it conflicts with personal desire. With its enduring characters and ethical dilemmas, the epic continues to resonate in religious rituals, art, theater, and popular culture across India and Southeast Asia, reminding generations of the ideals and trials of righteous living.
The Iliad – Homer’s Poem of Glory, Wrath, and War
The Iliad, attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer, stands as one of the foundational works of Western literature. Composed around the 8th century BCE, this epic poem—set during the final year of the legendary Trojan War—explores themes of heroism, honor, fate, and the devastating cost of human conflict.
Unlike a straightforward war chronicle, the Iliad begins not with the war’s origins but with a personal clash: the wrath (mēnis) of Achilles. When Agamemnon, leader of the Greek forces, dishonors him, Achilles withdraws from battle, triggering a chain of events that leads to tragedy on both sides. As the Greeks and Trojans clash outside the walls of Troy, warriors like Hector, Patroclus, and Ajax rise and fall, each embodying complex virtues and flaws. Achilles ultimately returns to the battlefield, not for glory, but to avenge his fallen friend—leading to the poem’s somber climax.
Though the Iliad ends before Troy's fall, its power lies in its portrayal of war’s emotional depth—grief, pride, love, and fury. Passed down through oral tradition and later written in dactylic hexameter, the Iliad has influenced literature, philosophy, and art for millennia, remaining a touchstone for discussions of honor, mortality, and the human condition.
The Odyssey – Homer’s Tale of Adventure, Identity, and Homecoming
The Odyssey, traditionally attributed to Homer and composed in the 8th century BCE, is one of the most enduring adventure tales in world literature. Often considered a companion to the Iliad, this Greek epic follows the long, perilous journey of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, as he attempts to return home after the Trojan War. Spanning ten years and countless challenges, the Odyssey is as much a story of survival and cunning as it is a meditation on loyalty, resilience, and the longing for home.
Unlike the war-centric Iliad, the Odyssey is driven by encounters with the mythical and the unknown—man-eating giants, seductive enchantresses, wrathful gods, and treacherous seas. Odysseus, famed for his intellect as much as his bravery, must outwit creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus and resist temptations from Circe and the Sirens. Meanwhile, back in Ithaca, his wife Penelope fends off arrogant suitors, and their son Telemachus comes of age in his father’s absence.
At its heart, the Odyssey is a tale of identity and perseverance. It explores what it means to be a hero not only in war, but in peace, family, and self-discovery. Revered for its poetic brilliance and psychological insight, the Odyssey remains a cornerstone of classical literature and a timeless exploration of the human journey.
The Shahnameh – Persian Chronicle of Kings, Heroes, and Destiny
The Shahnameh ("Book of Kings") is the national epic of Greater Iran, composed by the Persian poet Ferdowsi around 1010 CE. Spanning over 50,000 couplets in classical Persian verse, it is one of the longest epic poems ever written and a monumental work of literature, history, and myth. Completed after three decades of composition, the Shahnameh preserves the pre-Islamic cultural heritage of Persia, blending legend with historical events.
Divided into three main parts—mythical, heroic, and historical—the poem recounts the rise and fall of Persian kings and dynasties, from the creation of the world to the Arab conquest of Persia in the 7th century. Its most celebrated section is the heroic age, featuring timeless figures like Rostam, the mighty warrior; Sohrab, his tragic son; and Zal, the white-haired seer. Their stories blend honor, fate, love, and sacrifice, forming the emotional and moral core of the epic.
More than a history, the Shahnameh is a testament to Persian identity, language, and resilience. Through poetic grandeur and vivid storytelling, Ferdowsi aimed to preserve Iran's cultural memory at a time of political and religious change. Today, the Shahnameh remains a symbol of Persian pride and literary brilliance across the Persian-speaking world.