European Literature: Ancient and Medieval Periods

Which ancient literature work narrates the Trojan War and the siege of Troy?

What is the common theme in Homer's two epics, The Iliad and The Odyssey?

During which period did Medieval literature emerge?

What are the dominant literary forms in Medieval literature?

What were the Greeks' major introductions to literature?

What foundation did Gecko-Roman literature provide for European literature?

During which literary period did the classical scholars, known as humanists, revive and translate ancient texts?

Who invented the printing press in 1440, which is considered the greatest innovation of the Renaissance era?

Which literary movement placed importance on imagination and emotion, and uplifted characters from humble backgrounds or the common man?

Which literary work is an epic poem about the Fall of Man, where John Milton made Adam, Eve, Satan, and God his characters?

Which historical event led to the end of the Enlightenment period?

Who is known for traveling on four separate voyages and encountering different types of societies in a novel that serves as a metaphor for different aspects of British society?

Which philosophical movement placed a renewed focus on the human and his or her potential, and was prevalent among intellectuals during the Renaissance?

Ancient Literature

The ancient literature work that narrates the Trojan War and the siege of Troy is the Iliad.

Homer's Epics

The common theme in Homer's two epics, The Iliad and The Odyssey, is the human experience and struggles.

Medieval Literature

Medieval literature emerged during the Middle Ages, roughly spanning from the 5th to the 15th century.
The dominant literary forms in Medieval literature are poetry, romance, and the allegory.

Greek Contributions

The Greeks introduced the concept of tragedy and comedy to literature.
Greek literature provided a foundation for Roman literature.

Classical Scholars and Renaissance

During the Renaissance period, classical scholars, known as humanists, revived and translated ancient texts.
Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1440, which is considered the greatest innovation of the Renaissance era.

Romanticism

Romanticism is a literary movement that placed importance on imagination and emotion, and uplifted characters from humble backgrounds or the common man.

Paradise Lost

John Milton's epic poem, Paradise Lost, is about the Fall of Man, where Adam, Eve, Satan, and God are the main characters.

Enlightenment Period

The French Revolution led to the end of the Enlightenment period.

Travel Literature

Daniel Defoe's novel, Robinson Crusoe, serves as a metaphor for different aspects of British society, with the protagonist traveling on four separate voyages and encountering different types of societies.

Renaissance Philosophy

The Renaissance philosophical movement placed a renewed focus on the human and his or her potential, and was prevalent among intellectuals during the Renaissance.

Learn about the foundation of European literature from this quiz focusing on ancient literature (800 BC–500 AD) and medieval literature (500 AD–1500 AD). Explore the influences of Greek and Roman literature, major literary forms introduced by the Greeks, and the oral nature of early literature.