Greek epics of the archaic period include poems that narrate a
particular heroic episode or series of episodes and poems that
recount the long-term history of families or peoples. They are an
important source of mythological record. Here is a new text and
translation of the examples of this poetry that have come down to
us.
The heroic epic is represented by poems about Heracles and
Theseus, and by two great epic cycles: the Theban Cycle, which
tells of the failed assault on Thebes by the Seven and the
subsequent successful assault by their sons; and the Trojan Cycle,
which includes "Cypria," "Little Iliad," and "The Sack of Ilion."
Among the genealogical epics are poems in which Eumelus creates a
prehistory for Corinth and Asius creates one for Samos. In
presenting the extant fragments of these early epic poems, Martin
West provides very helpful notes. His Introduction places the epics
in historical context.
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