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Legends & Sagas

Norse, Arthurian & European myth

40 entries · 14 sections

General

The Myth of the Birth of the HeroOtto Rank, 1914 — A groundbreaking application of psychoanalysis to comparative mythology.The Lang Fairy BooksAndrew Lang, 1889-1910 — Full text of the classic folk-lore series, written for children of all ages The Works of Lord DunsanyEdward Plunkett, Lord Dunsany, 1905-22 — Lord Dunsany paved the way for Tolkien with his delightful internally consistent fantasy worlds.

Northern European

Teutonic Myth and LegendDonald Mackenzie, 1912 — An able retelling of the Northern mythological cycle.

Arabian Nights

The 1001 Arabian NightsRichard Burton, 1850 — An 'unexpurgated' version of the Arabian Nights The Arabian Nights' EntertainmentsAndrew Lang, 1898 — A version of the Arabian Nights suitable for Victorian children

Baltic

The Hero of EsthoniaW. F. Kirby, 1895 — A extensive 'prose outline' of the Estonian national epic, the Kalevipoeg Baltic WizardsFrances Jenkins Olcott, 1928 — A diverse collection of Baltic folklore, retold for young readers

Basque

Basque Folklore

Slavic and Eastern European

The Tale of the Armament of IgorLeonard A. Magnus, 1915 — The first masterpiece of Russian literature, from the time of transition between Slavic Paganism and Christianity.The Songs of the Russian PeopleW.R.S. Ralston, 1872 — A treasure trove of Russian and Slavic folklore, mythology and tradition.Roumanian Fairy Tales and LegendsE.B. Mawr, 1881 — A small collection of Romanian folk tales and historical legends.Sixty Folk-Tales from Exclusively Slavonic SourcesA. H. Wratisalw, 1890 — An excellent (and long out of print) collection of Slavic folktales, with hints of some very ancient lore.Folk Tales From the RussianVerra Xenophontovna Kalamatiano de Blumenthal, 1903 Heroic Ballads of ServiaGeorge Rapnall Noyes, 1913 — Translations of Serbian oral poetry.Old Peter's Russian TalesArthur Ransome, 1916 — Russian folklore retold, including tales of Baba Yaga.Stories of Russian Folk-LifeDonald A. Mackenzie, 1916 The Key of Gold: 23 Czech Folk TalesJosef Baudis, 1917 The Man in the Panther's SkinShota Rustaveli, 1912 — The Georgian National Epic.Armenian Legends and PoemsZabelle C. Boyajian, 1916 — A sampler of Armenian literature, legends and history.

Finland

The Kalevala is the national saga of Finland. Pieced together (and embellished) by Elias Lönnrot from traditional storytellers in the late 19th Century, the tales which constitute the Kalevala show signs of great antiquity.

The Kalevala (English)John Martin Crawford, 1888 — The Finnish national epic, the wars of wizards and heroes to control a mystical artifact.The Kalevala (Finnish)Elias Lönnrot — This etext of the Kalevala in Finnish is from the Runeberg project.Magic Songs of the West Finns, Vol. IJohn Abercromby, 1898 — A treasure trove of Finnish lore.Magic Songs of the West Finns, Vol. IIJohn Abercromby, 1898 — Ancient Finnish charms, formulae, and prayers, used by Shamans, healers, and peasants from ancient times.

France

The Song of RolandCharles Scott Moncrief, 1919 — This saga depicts a pivotal episode in the conflict between the Islamic and Christian world in the late Middle ages.

Germany

Wagner's Ring of the NiblungRichard Wagner, 1910 — An excellent translation of the librettos of operas Siegfried and Die Götterdammerung The NibelungenliedDaniel B. Shumway, 1909 — The Nibelungenlied is derived from the Ancient Norse Eddas Hero Tales and Legends of the RhineLewis Spence, 1915 — Lore of the Rhine valley, including the Nibelunglied saga.Grimm's Household TalesJakob, 1812 The Germany of TacitusOne of the only ancient descriptions of the Germanic tribes

Greece

Fairy Tales of Modern GreeceTheodore P. Gianakoulis, 1930 — Modern Greek fairies and their often tragic interactions with mortals.

Italy

Orlando FuriosoLudovico Ariosto, 1823-31 — Italy's most notable contribution to renaissance epic poetry.

Portugal

The LusiadLuis de Camoens, 1776 — The Portuguese national epic, the tale of Vasco da Gama's voyage to India.

Scandinavia

Spain

Legends and Romances of SpainLewis Spence, 1920 The Lay of the CidR. Selden Rose, 1919 — The Spanish national epic.Site copyrights Terms of Service