This is a collection of prose retellings of famous world epics, intended for general readers. It offers an accessible introduction to heroic tales and ancient narrative traditions. It is valuable as an overview of epic poetry and its lasting themes.
For teachers and schools: paste the code into your site or blog.
Cover illustration generated by AI.
Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
THE BOOK OF THE EPIC
The World's Great Epics Told in Story
by
H. A. GUERBER
Author of Myths of Greece and Rome, Myths of Northern Lands,
Legends of the Middle Ages, etc.
With an Introduction by J. Berg Esenwein, Litt. D.
With Sixteen Illustrations from the Masters of Painting
1913
INTRODUCTION
Every now and then in our reading we come suddenly face to face with first things,—the very elemental sources beyond which no man may go. There is a distinct satisfaction in dealing with such beginnings, and, when they are those of literature, the sense of freshness is nothing short of inspiring. To share the same lofty
Readnara
