Bone-crusher. Troll-wife. Battle-sweat. Blood-worm. What study of Beowulf would be complete without offering readers of this Old English epic poem an opportunity to craft their own kennings and epithets? Provide individuals with a copy...

Here's a handy two-page reference that briefly identifies major Greek and Roman mythological figures.

The University of Victoria's English department gives a comprehensive definition of the "epic" poetic form. Short examples included.

This article discusses the significant of on the Ramayana, the epic story of the hero Rama that is so much a part of Hindu culture.

Unfortunately, "literary" writing was not as simple and direct as political writing. When trying to write poetry, most educated authors stumbled into the pitfall of elegant neoclassicism. The epic, in particular, exercised a fatal...

Tells the story of the Epic of Gilgamesh which is an epic poem from Ancient Mesopotamia and is seen as a great work of literature.

Presents a clear, readable summary of ancient Greek history from the Archaic period through the Renaissance which included Homer's epic poems. Explains major historical events and cultural trends as background for those reading Homeric...

An overview of the Mahabharata, one of the great religious epics of India.

Comprehensive site delves into the reading and study of Vergil's master work, "The Aeneid". Begins with discussions about the genre of epic and the historical events that influenced Vergil's work. Finally, the author gives a multitude of...

Wikipedia provides very detailed information on the Bhagavad Gita, the epic poem of Mahabharata that is revered in Hinduism.

Illustrated entry tells the story of Arjuna, a hero in the Indian epic " The Mahabharata".

Concise explanation of the longest Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata.

Brief description of the Ramayana, one of two great epic poems of ancient India.

This article surveys the life and epic poetry of Vergil.

As one of the primary spokesmen for the Epicurean philosophy, Lucretius (99-55 BCE) wrote a philosophical epic "De Rerum Naturum," in which the Epicurean belief in the atomic nature of matter is presented. Look for the section entitled...

At this website, read the full text of George Eliot's novel, "Middlemarch." Included is a brief paragraph intoducing the book, its context, and its plot.

This resource explains how to approach an analysis of a poem. It discusses assumptions people may have, the importance of reading it closely before analyzing it, looking at the stanza structure, the type of poem, the sound patterns,...

From "Epic Battles of the Civil War, 1861-1865" comes this overview of the Main Western Theater in 1861 and 1862. Read about the struggle for Kentucky and the success of the Union at Ft. Henry and Ft. Donelson. Hyperlinks to battle...

A lengthy description of the Peninsula Campaign. Read about the strategy involved in this lengthy campaign, the goals, and the results for both the Union and Confederacy. From "Epic Battles of the Civil War" by Curtis M. Jingle, Michael...

A brief description of the Chancellorsville Campaign of April and May, 1863. From "Epic Battles of the Civil War" by Curtis M. Jingle, Michael R. Brasher, and Warren Von Worley.

PBS explores the religious festivals of India with an in-depth look into the festival Diwali. Identifies the Sanskrit word and provides its meaning. Details the origins of the festival and the epic which sparked the celebration....

In 1816, Europe and North America were plagued by heavy rains, odd-colored snow, famines, strange fogs and very cold weather well into June. Though many people believed it to be the apocalypse, this "year without a summer" was actually...

Biographical information on Jose Clemente Orozcoas related to his famous mural "The Epic of American Civilization." A great example of the Mexican Muralist Movement.

This site provides a long list of literary terms complete with full definitions and examples.