In addition to some of the world’s most famous ancient epic poems, this list of epic poetry audiobooks includes some modern twists and contemporary takes on epic poetry. While classics like The Odyssey and The Mahabharata are still delighting listeners thousands of years after their compositions, ancient epics aren’t the only kind. Who says an epic has to be a 1,000+ line poem about a hero’s quest? Well, somebody with a degree in classics or linguistics or religious texts might say so, but I don’t have any of those degrees. One of the reasons so many ancient epics are still so relevant today is because we keep reinterpreting them. Some of the contemporary epics on this list are retellings of ancient myths. Others blend modern stories with ancient ones. Others are entirely new stories, not based in any religious or mythological tradition, that have an epic feel to them — book-length poems about life-changing journeys. These books represent only a few of all the epic poems out there. I’ve included stories from a wide range of cultures, as well as an eclectic array of contemporary epic poems. Whether you’re looking for a classic text or a fun retelling, I hope these epic poetry audiobooks will help make epics — whether ancient or modern — a little less daunting, and inspire you to get some poetry into your ears.
Ancient Epic Poetry Audiobooks
Contemporary Epic Poetry Audiobooks
Looking for more epic poetry? If you’re interested in learning more about Hindu epics, you’ll want to check out Neha’s wonderful piece on the difference between epics and myths. You might also enjoy this list of 10 long poems to immerse yourself in.
