The story of Beowulf, written around the tenth century (though the actual poem is thought to be several hundred years older), tells the story of the heroic Beowulf, who slays monsters and dragons. It is full of brave feats and skilled swordplay on the part of its hero.

The Epic ofGilgamesh is a creation epic written in ancient Sumeria around 3000 BC. It tells the story of King Gilgamesh, who befriends the wild man Enkidu. Together they accomplish many great things, including the defeat of fearsome rampaging animals. After Enkidu's death Gilgamesh embarks alone on a journey at the end of which he discovers, and then loses, the secret of eternal life.

Gregory of Tours' History of the Franks is a rich source of information about the history and society of the geographic region which is today France. His book provides...