That is to say, epic poetry has been invented many times and

Listen well to the words of Lascelles Abercrombie, who reflects on the timeless nature of epic poetry: “That is to say, epic poetry has been invented many times and independently; but, as the needs which prompted the invention have been broadly similar, so the invention itself has been.” In these words, Abercrombie acknowledges a profound truth about epic poetry—it is not a singular invention, but a universal creation. Across time and space, epic poetry has emerged in various cultures, each responding to similar human needs: the need to preserve history, to explain the mysteries of existence, and to give voice to the collective struggles and triumphs of a people. The forms and structures may differ, but the impulse to create epic poetry is born from the same human instinct to understand and to memorialize.

The ancients themselves were keenly aware of this impulse. Consider Homer, whose epics, The Iliad and The Odyssey, are among the earliest and most revered examples of epic poetry. These works are not just stories—they are the foundation of Greek culture, embodying the virtues of heroism, honor, fate, and divine intervention. Yet, Homer was not the only one to create epic poetry. In India, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana served a similar function, weaving together history, morality, and myth in grand, sweeping narratives. Epic poetry, for the Greeks and Indians, was a way of defining their cultures, of making sense of the world around them, and of celebrating the human spirit in all its grandeur.

Similarly, Virgil in Rome created the Aeneid, an epic that sought to explain the origins of Rome, to connect its destiny with divine will, and to inspire its citizens to noble deeds. Like Homer’s works, Virgil’s poetry was deeply tied to the needs of the time—Rome was expanding, and there was a need for a national epic that could unite the people under a shared sense of purpose and identity. In all these cultures, the need for epic poetry arose from a deep-seated desire to understand their place in the world, to honor their ancestors, and to give meaning to their struggles. The forms might differ, but the impulse was the same—a desire to preserve the essence of a people’s story for future generations.

The epic poetry of Beowulf in Anglo-Saxon England or the Norse sagas of the Vikings follow this same pattern. In each case, these epics are expressions of the people’s values and ideals, tales of heroism and survival, of battles fought and won, of monsters slain and kings crowned. The epic is a vehicle for the collective consciousness, a way for a people to make sense of their world and their history. Whether in the vast plains of ancient Greece, the fields of northern Europe, or the steppes of Central Asia, epic poetry emerges from the same human need to create a narrative that ties the individual to the community, the present to the past, and the mortal to the divine.

Abercrombie’s insight is clear: the invention of epic poetry is not a matter of isolated cultural genius, but of a universal human instinct. Epic poetry arises independently in various places, but it always seeks to fulfill the same needs—to preserve history, to inspire, and to give voice to the values and struggles of a people. In this sense, epic poetry is a mirror of the human experience, reflecting our greatest aspirations and our most profound fears. It is an art form that transcends time and place, a testament to the enduring power of story to unite, to explain, and to elevate.

The lesson here is one of shared humanity. While cultures may differ, the human experience is, at its core, deeply similar. Epic poetry serves as a bridge between the individual and the collective, between the personal and the universal. It is a reminder that, though we may be separated by time, geography, and language, the same questions, struggles, and joys have shaped every human civilization. The need to understand our place in the world, to honor our ancestors, and to create meaning from our experiences is universal.

Practical actions follow. If you are a writer, recognize the power of storytelling. Whether you are writing epic poetry or contemporary fiction, your work is part of a long tradition of human expression. Embrace the power of narrative to connect the individual to the collective, to bridge the gap between the past and the present, and to speak to universal truths. If you are a reader, seek out the great epic poems of the world, and recognize the timelessness of their themes. Understand that each epic is not just a story of one people, but a reflection of the universal human condition, a mirror of the struggles, triumphs, and questions that have shaped us all.

Thus, Abercrombie’s words remind us that epic poetry is not bound by time or culture—it is a reflection of the shared human experience. From the ancient Greeks to the Norse, from the Indians to the Anglo-Saxons, epic poetry has emerged independently, fulfilling the same needs, answering the same questions, and exploring the same truths. Let us honor this ancient tradition, recognizing that the epic is not just the story of a people, but the story of humanity itself.