Cover of Thalaba the Destroyer

Thalaba the Destroyer

by Robert Southey

First published
1809
Reading level
Plain English
Price
Free

About the book

"Thalaba the Destroyer" by Robert Southey is an epic poem published in 1801. When sorcerers massacre the Hodeirah family to prevent a prophecy of their doom, young Thalaba alone escapes into the desert. Armed with a magical ring and guided by his Islamic faith, he journeys across the Middle East to face supernatural enemies. Through temptations, betrayals, and encounters with demons and fallen angels, Thalaba must choose between personal happiness and divine destiny, relying on faith rather than magic to fulfill his role as God's chosen champion.

  • English poetry

Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #39804. Thalaba the Destroyer on Wikipedia.

More free books by Robert Southey

About Robert Southey