Ancient Texts Collection

The oldest known work of literature, following the hero-king Gilgamesh of Uruk on his quest for immortality. Contains one of the earliest flood narratives predating the biblical account.

"He who saw the Deep, the country's foundation, who knew the proper ways, was wise in all matters — Gilgamesh, who saw the Deep..."

The foundational epic of Western literature, recounting the wrath of Achilles and the siege of Troy. A profound meditation on war, honor, and mortality.

"Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans..."

The epic journey of Odysseus as he struggles to return home after the fall of Troy, facing gods, monsters, and temptation across the wine-dark sea.

"Tell me, O muse, of that ingenious hero who travelled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of Troy..."

The oldest of the four Vedas and one of the oldest extant texts in any Indo-European language. A collection of hymns to the Rigvedic deities.

"Agni I laud, the household priest, divine minister of sacrifice, invoker, greatest bestower of treasure..."

An ancient Egyptian funerary text used from the beginning of the New Kingdom to around 50 BCE. A collection of magic spells to assist the dead in navigating the afterlife.

"I am Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, and I have the power to be born a second time..."

A collection of sayings and ideas attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius and his contemporaries. The foundational text of Confucian thought.

"Is he not a man of complete virtue, who feels no discomposure though men may take no note of him?"

The foundational text of Taoism, attributed to the sage Laozi. A guide to living in harmony with the Tao — the fundamental principle underlying the universe.

"The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name..."

One of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. At over 200,000 verse lines, it is the longest epic poem ever written, containing the Bhagavad Gita.

"Whatever is here, is found elsewhere. But what is not here, is nowhere else..."

The Latin epic poem written by Virgil, telling the legendary story of Aeneas, a Trojan who travelled to Italy and became the ancestor of the Romans.

"I sing of arms and the man, he who, exiled by fate, first came from the coast of Troy to Italy..."

The Maya creation narrative and mythological history of the K'iche' people of Guatemala. One of the most important texts of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican literature.

"This is the account of how all was in suspense, all calm, in silence; all motionless, still, and the expanse of the sky was empty..."

Plato's Socratic dialogue concerning justice, the order and character of the just city-state and the just man. One of the most influential works in philosophy.

"Until philosophers rule as kings or those who are now called kings and leading men genuinely and adequately philosophise..."

An ancient Chinese military treatise dating from the 5th century BC. Composed of 13 chapters, each devoted to one aspect of warfare, it remains the most influential strategy text ever written.

"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting..."