Ancient Tamil Poetics refers to the literary traditions and theories of poetry in the Tamil language, primarily developed during the Sangam period (approximately 300 BCE to 300 CE). This era produced a rich body of work, emphasizing themes of love, valor, and nature, often categorized into two main types: Akam (interior) and Puram (exterior). The foundational texts of Ancient Tamil Poetics include the Tolkāppiyam, a comprehensive grammar and poetics guide, and the Ettuthokai and Pattupāṭṭu, collections of poems. These works laid the groundwork for understanding poetic devices, meter, and the emotional resonance of Tamil literature.