Ancient Literature

[Therion]

Hi,Guys. I am planing on reading ancient literature (literature before Homer), but there are some questions on my mind I would be really thankful if you help me and share your opinion.

First, Do ancient writings like: Instructions of Kagemni, The Maxims of Ptahhotep, Book of Job, Psalms and others are literature? I mean do they have the qualities to be consider as literature?

Second, Do these writings worth reading and researching?

Third, From where should I start?

Fourth. what are some good books on Philosophy of Literature? (not philosophy and literature) I mean a book that talks about the nature of literature.

[Poetaster]

Before Homer? That is a highly specialized subject. In order I guess I would say:

Yes, something like Gilgamesh would certainly be considered literature.

Yes, I would say it's worth reading, though you need editions with copious notes, or a good instructor.

Gilgamesh would be a good start. And the pre-Socratic philosophers I guess. And Summarian texts other than Gilgamesh, and Egyption texts like The Book of the Dead.

As far as I know, and I'm almost certain, there are no texts pre-Homer of literary criticism.

If you don't mind my asking: what got your interest in this subject?

[Therion]

Actually, I have huge interest in ancient world and human's very first thoughts , also I want to know how their thoughts and knowledge influenced other ancient civilizations. So I think this subject has some answers.

[mal4mac]

Before Homer? That is a highly specialized subject. In order I guess I would say:

Yes, something like Gilgamesh would certainly be considered literature.

Yes, I would say it's worth reading, though you need editions with copious notes, or a good instructor.



I found Stephen Mitchell's translation Of Gilgamesh immediately accessible.

[mortalterror]

Gilgamesh is good. The Epic of Erra is good. Egyptian Book of the Dead is good. Book of Job is great. Story of Sinuhe is readable. Enuma Elis is readable. Book of Odes is okay. Other than that, maybe read the Rig Veda.

[Poetaster]

I found Stephen Mitchell's translation Of Gilgamesh immediately accessible.

Good to know, thanks for the recommendation.

[JBI]

Gilgamesh is good. The Epic of Erra is good. Egyptian Book of the Dead is good. Book of Job is great. Story of Sinuhe is readable. Enuma Elis is readable. Book of Odes is okay. Other than that, maybe read the Rig Veda.

Book of Odes may be rooted in Pre-Homeric times, but the text took shape much, much later. Maybe 500bce for the oldest parts and much later for many of the Airs.

One could try the Book of Documents, but it is quite dry. The zuo zhuan is a fun book, but from around the 5th century bce. As for the yijing, the commentaries are mostly from the Han, but the core text is probably older.

If you want to go Pre-Homeric in terms of timing, China has no full texts, only dubious quotes and unearthed bronze inscriptions.