The Library
1780 works catalogued century by century, from the literature the Bible was written among to the present — each with a note on what it is, why it lasted, and where to read it.
200–101 BC
1 work
c. 2nd century BC; survives in fragments
Greek
Exagoge
Ezekiel the Tragedian
A Greek tragedy in iambic trimeter on the exodus, with Moses speaking the prologue. In one fragment he describes a dream in which a great figure on a throne at Sinai hands him a sceptre and a crown and steps down, and the stars bow to him.
501–600
1 work
c. 520–555
Greek
Romanos the Melodist · c. 490–c. 556
Long sung sermons in stanzas with a repeated refrain, giving speeches to Mary, to Judas, to the woman at the well, and to Adam pleading at the gate of paradise.
901–1000
2 works
c. 960–970
Latin
Hrotsvitha of Gandersheim · c. 935–c. 1002
Six comedies written in imitation of Terence but with chaste heroines instead of seduced ones, including a courtesan converted by a hermit and virgins martyred under Diocletian.
c. 973
Latin
Regularis Concordia
Æthelwold of Winchester · c. 904–984
A single customary imposed on all English monasteries, including the earliest description of the Easter sepulchre ceremony in which monks act out the visit to the tomb.
1001–1100
1 work
c. 1040
Latin
Wipo of Burgundy · c. 995–c. 1050
An Easter sequence in dialogue form, asking Mary Magdalene what she saw on the way and letting her answer.
1101–1200
1 work
c. 1151
Latin
Ordo Virtutum
Hildegard of Bingen · 1098–1179
A sung drama in which a soul is pulled between sixteen Virtues, who sing, and the Devil, who can only shout because he has no music.
6 of 1780 works