sˌʌm ˈeɪntʃənt səsˈaɪəɾiz, sˈʌtʃ ɐz ðə tʃaɪnˈiːz θɹuː ðə klˈæsɪk ʌv hˈɪstɚɹi, wˈʌn ʌvðə fˈaɪv klˈæsɪks, dɪvˈɛləpt kˈænənz ʌv poʊˈɛɾɪk wˈɜːks ðæt hæd ɹˈɪtʃuːəl æz wˈɛl æz ɛsθˈɛɾɪk ɪmpˈoːɹtəns.
Some ancient societies, such as the Chinese through the Classic of History, one of the Five Classics, developed canons of poetic works that had ritual as well as aesthetic importance.