[failwhaleshark]

The Epic of Gilgamesh is roughly 3800-years-old.

One has to wonder though if something has survived as an artifact only because there were a zillion copies of the then "Steven King's" latest, or if it truly was great and preserved with care by those with taste.

You have to wonder if the then Siskel and Ebert gave it two thumbs down compared to other contemporary works.

[ellegriffin]

I think about this all the time when it comes to archeological finds. How do we know this wasn't one of their worst works?

[bambax]

Many writings from the ancient world survive only because of quotes in other books. It's likely that works that were heavily quoted were among the best.

But of course, that doesn't preclude the fact that there may have been much better works that didn't make it to us.

[failwhaleshark]

Of course, I wouldn't doubt many excellent works died and will die in obscurity in drawers and caves.

Popularity seems almost arbitrary with elements of promotion (ads, influencers, celebrities, etc.), timeliness, and virality.