What is the single best epic poem of all time?

[aco175]

The only one I can recite is by Ogden Nash (1902-1971).

Fleas:
Adam
Had'em

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Paradise Lost. It's so good that John Milton, despite being an absolute toolbox, is one of my top 5 writers of all time

This is the answer.

Paradise Lost was so good, it effectively closed out the category, and led to the creation of the "mock epic."

 

[Cadence]

To get more diversity and interesting answers, let's just say it's a lengthy narrative poem, probably about a legendary figure.

Thank goodness for that "probably", otherwise I couldn't put forward the strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold.

 

[Reynard]

2112 by Rush

 

[payn]

Man from Nantucket

 

[Alzrius]

Virgil's Aeneid.

 

[Andrew Anderson]

The Battle of Lepanto.
(G.K. Chesterton)

 

[Mannahnin]

Thank goodness for that "probably", otherwise I couldn't put forward the strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold.

The Cremation of Sam McGee is a banger.

Especially back to back with The Shooting of Dan McGrew.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Beowulf for me.

Seamus Heaney's is my top translation, but Maria Dahvana Headley gives it a serious run for its money.

 

[overgeeked]

The Epic of Gilgamesh.

As told by Jean-Luc Picard.

“Gilgamesh and Enkidu at Uruk.”