Is Beowulf the earliest recorded epic poem?

While Beowulf is an incredibly important and influential epic poem, it's not technically the earliest recorded epic poem.

Here's why:

* Dating: Beowulf dates back to the 8th century, but the manuscript we have today is from the 10th century.

* Other Ancient Epics: There are epics that predate Beowulf, including:

* The Epic of Gilgamesh (Mesopotamian, c. 2100 BCE)

* The Odyssey and The Iliad by Homer (Ancient Greek, c. 8th century BCE)

* The Mahabharata (Indian, c. 4th century BCE)

Therefore, Beowulf is not the earliest recorded epic poem. It is, however, one of the oldest surviving epic poems in the English language, and a foundational text for understanding early Germanic culture and literature.