Greek literature dates back from the ancient Greek literature, beginning in 800 BC, to the modern Greek

literature of today.

Ancient Greek literature was written in an Ancient Greek dialect, literature ranges from the oldest
surviving written works until works from approximately the fifth century AD. This time period is divided
into the Preclassical, Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman periods. Preclassical Greek literature primarily
revolved around myths and include the works of Homer; the Iliad and the Odyssey. The Classical period
saw the dawn of drama and history. Three philosophers are especially notable: Socrates, Plato, and
Aristotle. During the Roman era, significant contributions were made in a variety of subjects, including
history, philosophy, and the sciences.

Byzantine literature, the literature of the Byzantine Empire, was written in Atticizing, Medieval and early
Modern Greek. Chronicles, distinct from historics, arose in this period. Encyclopedias also flourished in
this period.

Modern Greek literature is written in common Modern Greek. The Cretan Renaissance poem Erotokritos
is one of the most significant works from this time period. Adamantios Korais and Rigas Feraios are two
of the most notable figures.

The influence of classical Greek literature on modern literature is also evident. Numerous figures from
classical literature and mythology appear throughout The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri.[155]
Plutarch's Lives were a major influence on William Shakespeare and served as the main source behind
his tragedies Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, and Coriolanus.[156]:883–884 Shakespeare's
comedies A Comedy of Errors and The Twelfth Night drew heavily on themes from Graeco-Roman New
Comedy.[156]:881–882 Meanwhile, Shakespeare's tragedy Timon of Athens was inspired by a story
written by Lucian[157] and his comedy Pericles, Prince of Tyre was based on an adaptation of the
ancient Greek novel Apollonius of Tyre found in John Gower's Confessio Amantis.[158]

John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost is written using a similar style to the two Homeric epics.[159] It
also makes frequent allusions to figures from classical literature and mythology, using them as symbols
to convey a Christian message.[160] Lucian's A True Story was part of the inspiration for Jonathan Swift's
novel Gulliver's Travels.[156]:545 Bulfinch's Mythology, a book on Greek mythology published in 1867
and aimed at a popular audience, was described by Carl J. Richard as "one of the most popular books
ever published in the United States".[161]
George Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion is a modern, rationalized retelling of the ancient Greek legend of
Pygmalion.[156]:794 James Joyce's novel Ulysses, heralded by critics as one of the greatest works of
modern literature,[162][163] is a retelling of Homer's Odyssey set in modern-day Dublin.[164][165] The
mid-twentieth-century British author Mary Renault wrote a number of critically acclaimed novels
inspired by ancient Greek literature and mythology, including The Last of the Wine and The King Must
Die.[166]

Even in works that do not consciously draw on Graeco-Roman literature, authors often employ concepts
and themes originating in ancient Greece. The ideas expressed in Aristotle's Poetics, in particular, have
influenced generations of Western writers and literary critics.[167] A Latin translation of an Arabic
version of the Poetics by Averroes was available during the Middle Ages.[168] Common Greek literary
terms still used today include: catharsis,[169] ethos,[170] anagnorisis,[171] hamartia,[172] hubris,[173]
mimesis,[174] mythos,[175] nemesis,[176] and peripeteia.[177]