The earliest recorded romantic storylines date back to ancient Greece and Rome, with tales of star-crossed lovers like Pyramus and Thisbe. However, it was during the 18th and 19th centuries that the modern concept of romance began to take shape. Classic literature's Golden Age saw the rise of authors like Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, and Charles Dickens, who penned timeless tales of love, heartbreak, and social commentary.