Heroic tales

One of the most ancient forms of literature, originating in oral form and handed down from bard to bard, is the poetry or prose that celebrates, with high and dignified style, the exploits of a single culture hero, or royal warrior. One of the most ancient heroic tales is the Gilgamesh epic which survived in parts of Asia by oral transmission, and in variant forms, for thousands of years. Besides Gilgamesh other heroes who have been very anciently celebrated are Noah, Odysseus (Ulysses), Achilles, Hector, Herakles (Hercules), Perseus, Aeness, etc. Later heroes are Alexander the Great, Charlemagne, Roland and 'King Arthur's' knights Percival, Galahad, Lancelot and Gawain. In Japanese literature the classic hero is the samurai, and in Hebrew literature it is Joshua and later the Maccabees. In Asia heroic tales have also been attached to religious teachers, a few of whom were fighters, such as Mohammed, and one of whom renounced his warrior caste, i.e. Sakyamuni Buddha.