Epic fantasy novels have been around for literally centuries. In fact the oldest recorded book was in this genre. One might believe the Iliad to be the oldest tale in this genre. In fact, however, there was another book that pre-dated the Iliad by a thousand odd years.
This earliest book of all was the epic of Gilgamesh. It was actually recorded onto tablets of stone. The story of Gilgamesh follows his quest to kill the beast Grendel and obtain the gift of immortality.
Between 650 and 750 B. C. E., the Iliad made its appearance. Now almost 3,000 years have past, and this story is still well known. It is a tale set during the Trojan War and tells the story of the siege and eventual fall of Troy. It is recorded as a heroic poem.
The Odyssey was written around the same time period as the Iliad. Both books are attributed to Homer. The Odyssey tells of Odysseus and his miraculous journey home after the Trojan War. During this fantastical journey, the tale is laced with a myriad of mythical creatures.
In the middle ages, around the 15th century, this type of fantasy was updated slightly. Magic was no longer only the realm of the gods. Wise humans could wield it as well. A case in point is Merlin, King Arthur's magician. This was noted in the Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory.
The most popular of this type of novel today is the Rings trilogy by Tolkien. Just about everyone is familiar with this series of books, and if not the books then the movies made from them. An important note is that Tolkien followed the heroic fantasy rules very well.
The tale generally begins with an ordinary human being, usually a poor farm boy, or in Tolkien's case--a hobbit. The story then follows that person on a quest to literally save the world against all odds.
So there you have it. A summary history of the most famous Epic Fantasy Novels from the first book ever recorded to the modern day. Try a piece of history and read one soon.
This earliest book of all was the epic of Gilgamesh. It was actually recorded onto tablets of stone. The story of Gilgamesh follows his quest to kill the beast Grendel and obtain the gift of immortality.
Between 650 and 750 B. C. E., the Iliad made its appearance. Now almost 3,000 years have past, and this story is still well known. It is a tale set during the Trojan War and tells the story of the siege and eventual fall of Troy. It is recorded as a heroic poem.
The Odyssey was written around the same time period as the Iliad. Both books are attributed to Homer. The Odyssey tells of Odysseus and his miraculous journey home after the Trojan War. During this fantastical journey, the tale is laced with a myriad of mythical creatures.
In the middle ages, around the 15th century, this type of fantasy was updated slightly. Magic was no longer only the realm of the gods. Wise humans could wield it as well. A case in point is Merlin, King Arthur's magician. This was noted in the Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory.
The most popular of this type of novel today is the Rings trilogy by Tolkien. Just about everyone is familiar with this series of books, and if not the books then the movies made from them. An important note is that Tolkien followed the heroic fantasy rules very well.
The tale generally begins with an ordinary human being, usually a poor farm boy, or in Tolkien's case--a hobbit. The story then follows that person on a quest to literally save the world against all odds.
So there you have it. A summary history of the most famous Epic Fantasy Novels from the first book ever recorded to the modern day. Try a piece of history and read one soon.
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