Poets of the Bronze and Iron Ages (2200-250 B.C.) -- Classical empires, East and West (750 B.C.-A.D. 500) -- the postclassical world (A.D. 250-1200) -- The rise of the vernacular (950-1450) -- The Renaissance in Europe; late traditional verse from the Americas, South Asia, and East Asia (1350-1625) -- The seventeenth century (1600-1700) -- The eighteenth century into the early twentieth century (1700-1915) -- The twentieth century (1915- ).