The literature produced by the ancient Tamil poets, popularly called Sangam literature has also proved to be an important source of history especially for South India. It is believed that much of this literature was produced in three sangams or assemblies of the Tamil poets, which were held between the Ist century AD and 6th century AD. They give detailed account of some important rulers, their commercial activities, administrative set-up and social, economic and religious conditions of that period. Two famous epics, Silappadikaram by Illango Adikal and Manimekalai by Sattanar also enrich this vast literature.