Fragments of Ancient Poetry: Poetry Guide and Free Edition
Fragments of Ancient Poetry: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Fragments of Ancient Poetry is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Macpherson, James (1736–1796).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Fragments of Ancient Poetry" by James Macpherson is a collection of poems that draws on themes from ancient Scottish culture and mythology, written in the mid-18th century. This work serves as a translation of pieces Macpherson claims are remnants of Gaelic poetry, capturing the essence of early Highland society. The fragments reflect a time when oral tradition and heroic tales were integral to cultural identity and artistic expression. The content of the book reveals a world steeped in epic battles, tragic love stories, and emotive laments. Characters such as Oscian, Shilric, Vinvela, and Connal navigate themes of loss and valor against the backdrop of the Scottish Highlands. The narratives often revolve around the death of heroes and the mourning of loved ones, showcasing the interplay between nature and human emotions. Through the measured prose and lyrical dialogue, Macpherson not only aims to preserve the voice of ancient bards but also to evoke the haunting beauty of a landscape entwined with the deeds of its legendary figures. The overall tone of the poems evokes nostalgia and reflects the valor and tragedy of its characters, aiming to resonate with the broader themes of human experience and loss.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Fragments of Ancient Poetry
- Author credits: Macpherson, James (1736–1796)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Bards and bardism -- Poetry
- Celts -- Poetry
- Literary forgeries and mystifications -- Early works to 1800
- Mythology, Celtic -- Ireland -- Poetry
- Ossian, active 3rd century -- Poetry
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore
- Category: Poetry
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


