Portrait of Lord Melvyn Bragg, host of In Our Time

Epic poems

An epic poem, or simply an epic, is a lengthy narrative poem typically about the extraordinary deeds of extraordinary characters who, in dealings with gods or other superhuman forces, gave shape to the mortal universe for their descendants. == Etymology == The English word epic comes from Latin epicus, which itself comes from the Ancient Greek adjective ἐπικός (epikos), from ἔπος (epos), "word, story, poem."In ancient Greek, 'epic' could refer to all poetry in dactylic hexameter (epea), which included not only Homer but also the wisdom poetry of Hesiod, the utterances of the Delphic oracle, and the strange theological verses attributed to Orpheus.

3 episodes

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  1. Epic of Gilgamesh

    Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Gilgamesh Epic, often described as the earliest surviving great work of literature, with origins in Mesopotamia in the 3rd millennium BC.

    3 November 2016

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    Featuring: Andrew George, Frances Reynolds, Martin Worthington

     
  2. The Kalevala

    Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Finnish epic poem, compiled by Elias Lönnrot in 1835 from runic songs, which helped the cause of Finland's independence from the Russian Empire.

    28 March 2024

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    Featuring: Riitta-Liisa Valijärvi, Thomas A. DuBois, Daniel Abondolo

     
  3. The Tale of Sinuhe

    Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss The Tale of Sinuhe, one of the most celebrated works of ancient Egyptian literature.

    1 May 2014

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    Featuring: Richard B. Parkinson, Roland Emmarch, Aidan Dodson