Volume V: Culture — Chapter 3: Literature
"When words are written down, they attain immortality." — From the Code of the Scribes
Related sections: → see [Volume V, Ch.1]
3.1 Genres
| Genre | Period | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Epic | −6,000 – −2,000 | "The Deeds of Verksaren" |
| Poetry | −2,000 – present | "Song of Two Moons" |
| Drama | −1,000 – present | Khar-Vexar Theater |
| Philosophy | −600 – present | "The Three Paths" |
| Scientific | +500 – present | "Encyclopedia of Xha'Ruun" |
3.2 Key Works
| Work | Year | Author | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| "First Principles" | −550 | Vel-Khal | Foundation of science |
| "Book of the Cycle" | −420 | Ven-Shar | Sacred text |
| "History of Empires" | −320 | Khal-Ven | Historiography |
| "Encyclopedia" | +3,000 | Collective | 10 volumes |
The genre dates describe the traditions and surviving bodies of work represented here, rather than the invention of song, narrative or argument. Oral songs and family stories continued alongside written literature.