From the earliest times, and in every culture across the planet, we find rich oral traditions dating back, in some cases, across millennia. These stores make up the basis for the art we know today as literature.

It’s disputed when writing systems came into being – some claim writings dating as far back as 6000 B.C.E. in the Jiahu culture or 4500 B.C.E. in the Vinča culture may in fact be the first. Today, most scholars believe that the first developed writing system is the Cuneiform system found on tablets from the ancient Sumerians culture. Shortly after the appearance of rudimentary Cuneiform around 3400 B.C.E. we see the appearance of Egyptian Heiroglyphs, and soon after that we begin to see writing develop in Ancient China, in Mesoamerican cultures like the Maya, and soon this new idea is spreading across the world; each culture adapting the idea to fit their needs.

But do these early writings constitute literature? Probably not. Though many manuscripts and writings have been lost to the tides of time, those that we do have are generally more like ledger pages – documenting who bought what from whom, and where so-and-so’s land is.

Right around 2000 B.C.E. this starts to change. We begin seeing writings that take on the characteristics of the rich cultural oral traditions, as opposed to accounting and record keeping. We see many small, short writings around this time, but in The Epic of Gilgamesh – a collection of legends about an Ancient Mesopotamian ruler – and the Egyptian Book of the Dead – the ancient funerary liturgy – we see some examples of very early literature of greater length that have survived for us to study.

It is from here that we see writings begin to appear and develop in cultures around the world. China, India, and Greece all begin turning out mass amounts of literature. Unfortunately, though many events – such as the destruction of the Library at Alexandra in the 3rd century B.C.E. – we only have a very small percentage of the original, and presumably very abundant and thriving, literary culture. Some of the surviving examples include: The Rigvada from India, The Old Testament from the Hebrew Culture, The Art of War from the Chinese, The Illiad and the Odyssy from the Greeks.

The Romans come along and we continue to see developments. By this time we’re seeing literature related to religion, philosophy, theatre, art and architecture, and poetry by artists like Sappho and Catullus. And all is developing in leaps and bounds, right up until the fall of Rome. We suddenly see a lack of great materials.

During the Middle Ages we actually see a couple of very interesting developments. We see a turn away from the decadent stories of the Romans and Greeks and a turn towards the more sober, religious writings of the early Christian Church.

During this same period, though, each of the small cultures that dotted the continents under the control of the Roman empire are beginning to stretch their literary legs. We now have beautiful poetry coming from the Arab cultures in Spain, tales of daring and dangerous battles from Wales and England. During the crusades we see influences brought back to Europe from around the world – as well as daring stories to go with them! Sanskrit poetry from India and Lyric poetry in China are also developing into very robust literary traditions at this time.

The Renaissance starts in the 1400s with very little ado – mainly continuing the traditions set forth during the Medieval period. Right up until 1455 when a middle-aged metallurgist adapted an old wine press, mixed some linseed oil and soot, and cast a set of two hundred and ninety symbols. Johann Gutenberg’s Printing Press revolutionized the world. In much the same way the internet threw convention out the window, the printing press opened eyes to the unending possibilities. It made dissemination of information easier than it ever had been before. More people than ever were becoming literate, and longing for things to read – which lead more writers to take up pen and write informative and entertaining works to meet this need. Some examples from this period are Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Sir Thomas Moore’s Utopia, and Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Mort d’Arthur about the knights of the round table.

When we move into the High Renaissance and the Baroque periods in the late 1600’s we also move into a more modern style of writing. For the first time we see the use of the novel though pieces like Cervante’s Don Quixote. We also see a rise in playwriting by greats like Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare.

Metaphysical poets domineer the 17th century in Europe, as well as the dark new allegorical novels like Gulliver’s Travels and A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift. By the 18th century, we reach the Age of the Enlightenment, and great philosophical works like Voltaire’s Candide. We also see the rise of Romance novels during this phase.

By the 19th century, our literature has reached a highly modern form. Victorian culture is alive and well and is highly reflected in the works of this time. American literature is also staring to take it’s place on the world stage. And we see themes such as romanticism, naturalism, and realism dominating the literary stage.

When World War I breaks out across Europe, it changes the literary scenery. We see more feelings of helplessness and hopelessness portrayed through writing as we move into the Modern and Postmodern styles of writing. The roaring 20s followed by the Great Depression also have their impacts. With the start and end of World War II, we see the rise of yet another modern style of writing – Science Fiction. Despite what it has become today, there was a time when Science Fiction expressed the subconscious foreboding the authors felt about the changing world around them.

So, think back on your favorite book... It’s part of a rich tapestry of historic tradition.