Explore timeless ancient plays and poetry from Ancient Greece and Rome, where epic, comedy, and tragedy laid the foundations of Western literature. From Homer’s monumental epics, which shaped Greek ideas of heroism and honor, to the sharp social satire of Plautus and the refined poetic voice of Ovid, these works established literary forms that continue to influence storytelling, theatre, and poetry today. Written for performance, recitation, and public audiences, ancient literature was deeply woven into religious festivals, civic life, and education.

These authors span more than a millennium, from the archaic Greek world of the eighth century BC through the Roman Republic and into the early Roman Empire. Their plays and poems explore universal themes such as love and loss, fate and free will, power and ambition, and the absurdities of human behavior. Beyond their artistic value, these texts provide invaluable insight into ancient beliefs, social structures, and everyday life, offering modern readers a direct connection to the voices, values, and imagination of the classical world.

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