Title Highlight: Encyclopedia of traditional epics

Encyclopedia of traditional epics
REF: PN56. E65 E64 1994, 1 volume
Illustrations, Photos
Appendices: Epics Listed by Geographical Region, Epics Listed Chronologically, Epics Listed by Subgenre, Bibliography, Index

Epics are long tales of heroes and villains developed from the oral folklore of a people or nation, although there are exceptions. Some examples of familiar epics are Greece’s Iliad, Ancient Sumeria’s Tales of Gilgamesh and the Germanic nations’ Ring of the Niebelungen. This book contains summaries of over 300 epics from all continents. It covers epics from a time span beginning around 3,000 B.C until the 20th century.

The author explains in her preface that the selection and retelling of the traditional epics included in the encyclopedia is subjective and based on the author’s opinions as to the significance of the epic. She has also standardized spelling variations or indicated alternate spelling of the names of characters or works that cross languages and cultures, such as Siegfried and the Mahabharata.

Both the titles of works and famous characters are given an entry. For instance, both the Song of Roland and Roland have articles devoted to them. Each entry includes a short synopsis of the epic or character. The appendixes are very useful for finding the various epics of given regions or time eras, since the names of many of them are unfamiliar to the average reader.

The author’s introductory essay gives a good overview of the Epic and the important role it plays in a country’s culture. However the introduction also mentions that many heroic tales depict the mistreatment of women and children, something that is not considered acceptable in many present day cultures but which reflects the culture prevalent at the time many epics were composed.