Since the dawn of civilization, books have played a crucial role in spreading and preserving information, stories, and wisdom from one generation to the next. Many books have been written throughout history, but only a select few have endured the test of time and remained in print for hundreds of years or even millennia. These writings have been essential in influencing the course of human events and the development of our society.
In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 oldest books in the world that have survived to this day. These texts are priceless relics of the human race, passed down through the ages. These publications, which range from ancient Indian scriptures to Chinese classics, have made important contributions to the growth of human culture.
Top 10 Oldest Books In The World
The Rigveda:
The Rigveda is a collection of Sanskrit hymns that were written in ancient India. The Rigveda is known by its Sanskrit name. It dates back to the second millennium before the common era and is therefore considered to be one of the oldest religious texts in the world.
The Mahabharata:
The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic that recounts the account of a conflict that took place between the royal families of two different kingdoms. It is thought to have been composed in Sanskrit about the eighth century before the common era (BCE).5
The Pyramid Texts:
The Pyramid Texts are a collection of religious texts that were carved on the walls of pyramids in Ancient Egypt. The Pyramid Texts were known as the Pyramid Inscriptions. It is believed that they date back to the Old Kingdom period, making them the oldest religious texts ever discovered anywhere in the world (2686–2181 BC).
The I Ching:
The I Ching is a Chinese literature that has been used for divination for over two thousand years. It is also known as the Book of Changes. The I Ching was written by Lao Tzu. It is believed to have been written for the first time during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BCE).
The Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey:
The Iliad and the Odyssey are epic poems written by the ancient Greek poet Homer. They were composed in the 8th century BCE and are considered to be the oldest surviving works of Western literature.
The Avesta:
The Avesta is a collection of Zoroastrian holy scriptures that were composed in ancient Iran. It is thought to have been completed about the 12th century BCE.
The Book of the Dead:
The Book of the Dead is an ancient Egyptian funerary manuscript that contains spells and instructions for the afterlife. The Book of the Dead dates back to the pre-dynastic period. At the time of the New Kingdom, it was written down (1550–1070 BCE).
The Tao Te Ching:
The Tao Te Ching is a classic piece of Chinese literature that is often thought to have been written by the eminent thinker Lao Tzu. It is considered to be one of the most important works in Taoism, and it was composed around the sixth century before the common era.
The Analects of Confucius:
The Analects of Confucius are a collection of sayings and ideas that are credited to the Chinese philosopher Confucius. These sayings and concepts can be found in The Analects. This piece of writing dates back to the time of the Warring States (475–221 BCE).
Bible:
The Holy Bible, also known simply as the Bible, is a collection of religious writings that are held in the highest regard by Christians. Hebrew and Aramaic were the languages used to write the Old Testament, whereas Greek was the language of choice for the New Testament. It is believed to have been composed over the course of several centuries, beginning in the eighth century BCE and continuing till the present day.
