The Sangam period or age (Tamil: சங்ககாலம், caṅkakālam, Malayalam: സംഘകാലം, saṅkakālam), particularly referring to the third Sangam period, is the period of the history of ancient Tamil Nadu and Kerala (then known as Tamilakam), and parts of Sri Lanka dating back to c.6th century BCE.^[1] It was named after the legendary Sangam academies of poets and scholars centered in the city of Madurai^[2] which are believed to be mythical.

In Old Tamil language, the term Tamilakam (Tamiḻakam, Purananuru 168. 18) referred to the whole of the ancient Tamil-speaking area,^[3] corresponding roughly to the area known as southern India today, consisting of the territories of the present-day Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Whereas Sri Lanka is distinguished from it and is known as Ilam or Eelam,^[4] although also influenced by the Sangam Period.^[5][6][7]

According to Tamil legends, there were three Sangam periods, namely Head Sangam, Middle Sangam and Last Sangam period. Historians use the term Sangam period to refer the last of these, with the first two being legendary. It is also called the last Sangam period (Tamil: கடைச்சங்க பருவம், Kadaiccanga paruvam),^[8] or third Sangam period (Tamil: மூன்றாம் சங்க பருவம், Mūnṟām sanka paruvam).

The Sangam literature is thought to have been produced in three Sangam academies of each period. The evidence on the early history of the Tamil kingdoms consists of the epigraphs of the region, the Sangam literature, and archaeological data. The period between 600 BCE and 300 CE, Tamilakam was ruled by the three Tamil dynasties of Pandya, Chola and Chera, and a few independent chieftains, the Velir.

There is a wealth of sources detailing the history, socio-political environment and cultural practices of ancient Tamilakam, including volumes of literature and epigraphy.^[6]

The Sangam Tamils enjoyed a sophisticated cultural life. Their interests in education, literature, music, dance, drama and festivals have been described in the Sangam literature.^{[citation needed]}

• History of Tamil Nadu
• Tolkappiyam
• Purananuru
• Paripaatal