Sangam literature is a body of Tamil literature compiled during the Sangam period (c. 300 BCE – 300 CE). The term Sangam literature refers to the Tamil literature written during the Sangam period. This period is also known as the Golden Age of Tamil literature.  The term Sangam is used to refer to the earliest known Tamil academy, which was based in Madurai. The Sangam academy was responsible for the compilation of the Sangam canonical works, which included the Ettuthogai (eight anthologies) and the Pattupattu (ten idylls).

Sangam literature is primarily divided into two categories: Pathinenmaelkanakku (the eighteen minor works) and Ettuthogai (the eight anthologies). 

Pathinenmaelkanakku comprises the didactic and devotional works of the early Sangam period, while Ettuthogai comprises the love poems and other works of the later Sangam period. 

The Sangam period was a time of great political and social change in Tamil Nadu. The three Tamil dynasties of the time – the Cheras, the Pandyas, and the Cholas – were constantly at war with each other. This led to a great deal of migration, and many Tamil poets found themselves living in other parts of the country. 

The Sangam literature deals with a wide range of subjects such as love, war, religion, philosophy, and morality. The poems are classified into five categories: akam (love), puram (war), Kurinci (nature), chakam (morality), and venpa (didactic). The akam poems deal with love in all its aspects: love between man and woman, man and god, or man and nature. The puram poems deal with war and the heroic deeds of warriors. The Kurinci poems deal with nature and the beauty of the natural world. The chakam poems deal with morality and ethical values. The venpa poems are didactic in nature and deal with such topics as good and evil, dharma (duty), and karma (action and its consequences). 

The Sangam literature contains some of the greatest works of Tamil literature, including the epics Silappathikaram and Manimekalai, the love poem Kurunthogai, and the didactic work Natrinai. The Sangam literature is an invaluable source of information about the history and culture of Tamil Nadu. It is also a great source of inspiration for modern Tamil writers.

Despite the political turmoil of the time, the Sangam period was a golden age for Tamil literature. The Sangam poets were highly respected and their works were held in high esteem. 

The Sangam literature is remarkable for its realism and the intimate portrayal of human emotions. It is also notable for its use of similes and metaphors. The Sangam literature has had a profound impact on Tamil culture and has been a source of inspiration for Tamil writers and poets.