épique

Épique is a French term used to describe works and styles related to the epic, or epic poetry. As an adjective, it designates things of grand scope, heroic action, and elevated style; as a noun in some discussions, it denotes the epic tradition. The word derives from Latin epicus, via Greek epikos, ultimately from epos “story, song.”

In literary use, épique refers to long narratives that recount heroic deeds and momentous events. The traditional form is the poème épique (epic poem) or the broader épopée (epic), though in French the boundary between terms is fluid. Classical epics such as Homer's works and Virgil's Aeneid are cited as defining examples in Western literature; medieval French works like La Chanson de Roland are often described as épique and as chansons de geste, part of an earlier tradition of heroic narrative.

Common features of épique writing include a large setting, formal diction, long journeys or battles, divine or fate-based interventions, and a hero whose actions determine the destiny of a people. The style frequently uses devices such as epic similes, catalogues, and invocations to the muse, though modern usages of the term also apply to media beyond poetry that seek a similarly grand, awe-inspiring mood.

In contemporary usage, épique can describe films, video games, or music that adopt a sweeping, grandiose scale and tone. The term thus serves as both a literary label and a broader cultural descriptor for works intended to evoke grandeur and heroism.