Unknown
These are works whose authors' identity has been lost to the sands of time.
Works
Za-Nehet
Story of Sinuhe
Middle Egyptian · oldest extant copy dated c. 1800 BCEEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
1 translation
𒂊𒋫𒈾
Myth of Etana
Akkadian · Old Babylonian version c. 1800-1500 BCEEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
3 translations
𒀭𒈹𒂵𒆠𒃲𒆷
Descent of Inanna into the Underworld
Sumerian · c. 1900-1600 BCEEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
3 translations
𒀜𒊏𒄩𒋀
Atra-Hasis
Akkadian · c. 1600 BCEEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
3 translations
𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺
Book of the Dead
Middle Egyptian · c. 1550 BCNonfiction / Essays / Treatise
1 translation
ऋग्वेद
Rigveda
Vedic Sanskrit · c. 1500-1000 BCReligious Scripture / Arcana / Sacred & Occult Texts
2 translations
𒀭𒊩𒌆𒆠𒃲 𒀭𒄊𒆪𒃲
Nergal and Ereshkigal
Akkadian · c. 2nd millenium BCEEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
2 translations
𒀀𒁕𒉺
Adapa and the South Wind
Akkadian · c. 19th-14th century BCEEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
3 translations
𒂅𒉡
Theogony of Dunnu
Akkadian · c. 14th - 13th century BCEEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
1 translation
ilū mušīti ša šamê u erṣeti
Night-gods Hymn
Akkadian · c. 1400-1000 BCEEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
1 translation
𒂊𒉡𒈠𒂊𒇺
Enūma Eliš (Babylonian Creation)
Akkadian · c. 1153-1022 BCEEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
3 translations
𒀭𒅎𒂂
Epic of Anzu
Akkadian · c. late 2nd millenium BCEEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
2 translations
छान्दोग्योपनिषद्
Chandogya Upanishad
Late Vedic Sanskrit · 700 BCEReligious Scripture / Arcana / Sacred & Occult Texts
2 translations
𒀭𒅕𒊏
Erra and Ishum
Akkadian · c. 7th century BCEEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
2 translations
詩經
Classic of Poetry
Archaic Chinese · poems dating from c. 11th to c. 7th century BCPoetry Collection
1 translation
केनोपनिषद्
Kena Upanishad
Early Classical Sanskrit · 650 BCEReligious Scripture / Arcana / Sacred & Occult Texts
1 translation
ऐतरेयोपनिषद्
Aitreya Upanishad
Late Vedic Sanskrit · 600 BCEReligious Scripture / Arcana / Sacred & Occult Texts
1 translation
बृहदारण्यकोपनिषद्
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
Late Vedic Sanskrit · 600 BCEReligious Scripture / Arcana / Sacred & Occult Texts
2 translations
कौषीतकि उपनिषद्
Kaushitaki Upanishad
Early Classical Sanskrit · 570 BCEReligious Scripture / Arcana / Sacred & Occult Texts
2 translations
तैत्तिरीयोपनिषद्
Taittiriya Upanishad
Late Vedic Sanskrit · 550 BCEReligious Scripture / Arcana / Sacred & Occult Texts
2 translations
श्वेताश्वतरोपनिषद्
Shvetashvatara Upanishad
Early Classical Sanskrit · 550 BCEReligious Scripture / Arcana / Sacred & Occult Texts
2 translations
ईशोपनिषद्
Isha Upanishad
Early Classical Sanskrit · 500 BCEReligious Scripture / Arcana / Sacred & Occult Texts
2 translations
मुण्डकोपनिषद्
Mundaka Upanishad
Early Classical Sanskrit · 500 BCEReligious Scripture / Arcana / Sacred & Occult Texts
2 translations
कठोपनिषद्
Katha Upanishad
Early Classical Sanskrit · 450 BCEReligious Scripture / Arcana / Sacred & Occult Texts
2 translations
मैत्रायणीय उपनिषद्
Maitrayaniya Upanishad
Early Classical Sanskrit · c. 400 - 1 BCReligious Scripture / Arcana / Sacred & Occult Texts
1 translation
ජාතක
Jātaka
Pali · 5th centry BC - 3rd century ADPoetry Collection
2 translations
山海經
Classic of Mountains and Seas
Archaic Chinese · c. 4th-1st century BCNonfiction / Essays / Treatise
1 translation
考工記
The Artificer's Record
Archaic Chinese · c. 500-300 BCENonfiction / Essays / Treatise
2 translations
מגילות מדבר יהודה
Dead Sea Scrolls
Biblical Hebrew, Aramaic, Koine Greek · c. 3rd century - 1st century BCNonfiction / Essays / Treatise
1 translation
धम्मपद
Dhammapada
Pali · first written down c. 2nd century BCReligious Scripture / Arcana / Sacred & Occult Texts
1 translation
मनुस्मृति
The Laws of Manu
Classical Sanskrit · c. 200 BC - AD 200Nonfiction / Essays / Treatise
1 translation
प्रश्नोपनिषद्
Prasna Upanishad
Early Classical Sanskrit · 100 BCEReligious Scripture / Arcana / Sacred & Occult Texts
2 translations
माण्डूक्योपनिषद्
Mandukya Upanishad
Early Classical Sanskrit · 20Religious Scripture / Arcana / Sacred & Occult Texts
2 translations
Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum
Biblical Antiquities
Late Latin · c. 100Nonfiction / Essays / Treatise
2 translations
Διδαχή
Didache
Koine Greek · 1st-2nd centuryNonfiction / Essays / Treatise
1 translation
Ἐπιστολαὶ Χίωνος
Letters of Chion
Koine Greek · c. 1st-2nd centuryNovel
1 translation
Μαρτύριον Πολυκάρπου
Martyrdom of Polycarp
Koine Greek · c. 200Nonfiction / Essays / Treatise
2 translations
Scriptores Historiae Augustae
Historia Augusta
Late Latin · c. 310-430Biography / Memoir / Reportage
1 translation
विष्णुपुराण
Vishnu Purana
Classical Sanskrit · c. 400 BC - AD 900Nonfiction / Essays / Treatise
1 translation
लिङ्गपुराण
Linga Purana
Classical Sanskrit · c. 5th-10th centuryNonfiction / Essays / Treatise
1 translation
Táin Bó Cúailnge
The Táin
Middle Irish · c. 630-670Epic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
1 translation
þa anlysan
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
Anglo-Saxon · c. 893Nonfiction / Essays / Treatise
2 translations
سيرة ذات الهمة
The Tale of Lady Delhemma
Classical Arabic · c. 900-1000Epic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
1 translation
Bēowulf
Beowulf
Anglo-Saxon · 975Epic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
7 translations
3 editions
Annales Cambriae
Annals of Wales
Medieval Latin · c. 10th centuryNonfiction / Essays / Treatise
1 translation
Σοῦδα
Suda
Medieval Greek · 10th centuryNonfiction / Essays / Treatise
1 translation
शिवपुराण
Shiva Purana
Classical Sanskrit · c. 10-11th centuryNonfiction / Essays / Treatise
1 translation
Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Medieval Latin · 1086Nonfiction / Essays / Treatise
1 translation
Gesta Francorum
Deeds of the Franks
Medieval Latin · c. early 12th centuryNonfiction / Essays / Treatise
1 translation
सिंहासनद्वात्रिंशिका
Singhasan Battisi (Thirty-two Tales of the Thrones)
Classical Sanskrit · c. 12th centuryShort Story Collection / Tales
1 translation
Historia belli sacri
History of the Holy War
Medieval Latin · written c. 1130-1135Nonfiction / Essays / Treatise
1 translation
Historia Caroli Magni
History of Charles the Great
Medieval Latin · 12th centuryNonfiction / Essays / Treatise
1 translation
El Cantar de Mio Cid
The Song of El Cid
Old Spanish · c. 1140-1207Epic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
1 translation
Fierabras et Floripas
Fierabras and Floripas
Old French · c. 1150Epic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
1 translation
Liber Sancti Jacobi
Book of Saint James
Medieval Latin · c. 1139-1173Nonfiction / Essays / Treatise
3 translations
Historia Apollonii regis Tyri
Apollonius of Tyre
Medieval Latin · 1185Novel
1 translation
Aiol et Mirabel
Aiol and Mirabel
Old French · c. late 12th centuryEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
1 translation
Altercatio inter filomenam et bubonem
The Owl and the Nightingale
Middle English · c. 12th-13th centuryEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
2 translations
Chanson d'Antioche
Chanson d'Antioche
Old French · c. 1180Epic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
1 translation
Élie de Saint-Gilles
Elye of Saint Gille
Old French · 12th centuryEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
1 translation
Hrafnkels saga Freysgoða
The Saga of Hrafnkel, Frey's Godi
Old Norse / early Icelandic · 1200Novella / Light Novel
2 translations
Nibelungenlied
The Song of the Nibelungs
Middle High German · c. 1200Epic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
1 translation
Orkneyinga saga
Saga of the Jarls of Orkney
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 1200-1230Novella / Light Novel
1 translation
Διγενής Ακρίτας
Digenes Akritas
Medieval Greek · c. 12th centuryEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
2 translations
Lancelot-Graal
Lancelot-Grail Cycle
Old French · c. 1210-1235Short Story Collection / Tales
1 translation
Roman de Tristan en prose
Prose Tristan
Old French · 1230Novella / Light Novel
2 translations
ᠮᠣᠩᠭᠣᠯ ᠤᠨ ᠨᠢᠭᠤᠴᠠ ᠲᠣᠪᠴᠢᠶᠠᠨ
Secret History of the Mongols
Middle Mongolian · c. 1228-1300Nonfiction / Essays / Treatise
1 translation
Egils saga
Egil's Saga
Old Norse / early Icelandic · 1250Novella / Light Novel
2 translations
Kormáks saga
Kormak's saga
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 1200-1250Novella / Light Novel
1 translation
Mort le roi Artu
The Death of King Arthur
Old French · 13th centuryNovella / Light Novel
1 translation
Tale of Hreithar the Fool
Hreiðars þáttr
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 1200-1250Novel
1 translation
Völsunga saga
Saga of the Völsungs
Old Norse / early Icelandic · late 1200sNovella / Light Novel
1 translation
Þorsteins þáttr stangarhǫggs
The Tale of Thorstein Staff-Struck
Old Norse / early Icelandic · 1250Short Story Collection / Tales
2 translations
Ancrene Wisse
A Guide for Anchoresses
Middle English · early 1300sNonfiction / Essays / Treatise
1 translation
Auðunar þáttr vestfirska
The Tale of Auðun of the West Fjords
Old Norse / early Icelandic · 1300Short Story Collection / Tales
1 translation
Bandamanna saga
Saga of the Confederates
Old Norse / early Icelandic · 1300Novella / Light Novel
1 translation
Bjarnar saga Hítdœlakappa
Saga of Bjorn, Champion of the Hitardal People
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 13th centuryNovella / Light Novel
1 translation
Bolla þáttur Bollasonar
Bolli Bollason's Tale
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 13th centuryShort Story Collection / Tales
3 translations
Eiríks saga rauða
Saga of Erik the Red
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 13th centuryNovella / Light Novel
3 translations
Gautreks saga
Gautrek's saga
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. late 1200sNovella / Light Novel
1 translation
Gísla saga Súrssonar
Gisli Sursson's Saga
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 13th centuryNovella / Light Novel
2 translations
Grœnlendinga saga
Saga of the Greenlanders
Old Norse / early Icelandic · 1300Novella / Light Novel
2 translations
Halldórs þáttr Snorrasonar inn síðari
The Tale of Halldor Snorrason II
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 13th centuryNovel
1 translation
Hallfreðar saga vandræðaskálds
Saga of Hallfred the Troublesome Poet
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 13th centuryNovella / Light Novel
Helga þáttr Þórissonar
The Tale of Helgi Thorisson
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 13th centuryNovel
1 translation
Íslendings þáttr sögufróða
The Tale of the Story-Wise Icelander
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 13th centuryShort Story Collection / Tales
1 translation
Laxdœla saga
Saga of the People of Laxardal
Old Norse / early Icelandic · 1300Novella / Light Novel
3 translations
Njáls saga
Burnt Njal's Saga
Old Norse / early Icelandic · 1300Novella / Light Novel
3 translations
Ǫrvar-Odds saga
Arrow-Odd's saga
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 1250-1300Novella / Light Novel
1 translation
Sir Orfeo
Sir Orfeo
Middle English · c. later 13th - early 14th centuryEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
2 translations
Sneglu-Halla þáttur
The Tale of Sarcastic Halli
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 13th centuryNovel
1 translation
Tale of Ivar, Son of Ingimundr
Ívars þáttr Ingimundarsonar
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 13th centuryNovel
1 translation
Tale of Ölkofri (Ale-Hood)
Ölkofra þáttr
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 13th centuryNovel
1 translation
Þorsteins þáttr bæjarmagns
The Story of Thorstein Mansion-Mighty
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 13-14th centuryNovel
1 translation
Þorsteins þáttur skelks
The Tale of Thorstein Shiver
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 13th centuryShort Story Collection / Tales
1 translation
平家物語
The Tale of the Heike
Classical Japanese · c. 1300-1330Epic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
1 translation
錦雲堂暗定連環計
The Strategy of Interlocking Rings
Classical Vernacular Chinese · c. 12th century - early 13th centuryDrama / Theatre / Plays
1 translation
Eyrbyggja saga
Saga of the People of Eyri
Old Norse / early Icelandic · 13th-14th centuryNovella / Light Novel
1 translation
Hálfdanar saga Eysteinssonar
Saga of Hálfdan Eynsyteinsson
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 1300-1350Novella / Light Novel
1 translation
Voyage d'outre mer
Mandeville's Travels
Middle French · 1356Novel
2 translations
Cronica dell'Anonimo romano
Chronicle of an Anonymous Roman
Italian · 1357Nonfiction / Essays / Treatise
1 translation
Bósa saga ok Herrauðs
Saga of Bosi and Herraud
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 12th-14th centuryNovella / Light Novel
1 translation
Grettis saga
Saga of Grettir the Strong
Old Norse / early Icelandic · wrriten down c. 1400Novella / Light Novel
1 translation
Gunnlaugs saga ormstungu
The Saga of Gunnlaug Serpent-Tongue
Old Norse / early Icelandic · 1400Novella / Light Novel
2 translations
Kitabi-Dədə Qorqud
Book of Dede Korkut
Oghuz Turkic · c. 14th-15th centuryEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
1 translation
Króka-Refs saga
The Saga of Ref the Sly
Old Norse / early Icelandic · 1400Novella / Light Novel
1 translation
Mabinogi
Mabinogion
Middle Welsh · c. 1350-1410Short Story Collection / Tales
1 translation
The Story of Egil One-Hand and Asmund Berserkers-Slayer
Egils saga einhenda ok Ásmundar berserkjabana
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 14th centuryNovella / Light Novel
1 translation
Vatnsdœla saga
Saga of the People of Vatsndal
Old Norse / early Icelandic · 1400Novella / Light Novel
1 translation
Víglundar saga
Víglundar Saga
Old Norse / early Icelandic · c. 14th-15th centuryNovella / Light Novel
1 translation
竹生島
Chikubushima
Classical Japanese · c. 1400-1450Drama / Theatre / Plays
1 translation
邯鄲
Kantan
Classical Japanese · c. 1410Drama / Theatre / Plays
1 translation
གླིང་གེ་སར།,
Epic of King Gesar
Tibetan · originated c. 12-14th century; first written down c. 15-17th century.Epic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
1 translation
羽衣
Hagoromo
Japanese · c. 1500Drama / Theatre / Plays
1 translation
La vida de Lazarillo de Tormes y de sus fortunas y adversidades
The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes and of His Fortunes and Adversities
Spanish, Neo-Latin · 1554Novella / Light Novel
1 translation
Poopol Wuuj
Popol Vuh
Kʼicheʼ Mayan · c. 1554-1558Nonfiction / Essays / Treatise
4 translations
Gl'ingannati
The Deceived
Italian · 1592Drama / Theatre / Plays
1 translation
Koroğlu dastanı
Epic of Koroghlu
Azerbaijani · c. 16th centuryEpic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
2 translations
Гэсэр хааны тууж
Epic of King Gesar
Mongolian · 1716Epic / Long-form / Standalone Poem
1 translation
Carmina Burana
Carmina Burana
Medieval Latin, Middle High German · 1847Poetry Collection
1 translation