Epic

Epic is a term with several related meanings. In literature, an epic is a long narrative poem that centers on extraordinary deeds and events significant to a culture or nation. Epics are typically told in elevated style and often feature a hero whose actions determine the fate of many people. Common features include a vast setting, formal diction, invocation of a muse, in medias res opening, long speeches, epic similes, and the intervention of gods or supernatural beings.

Historically, epics appear in many cultures. The oldest surviving examples include the Epic of Gilgamesh from Mesopotamia, the Homeric poems Iliad and Odyssey in ancient Greece, and later works such as Virgil’s Aeneid. Beowulf is a notable example from medieval English literature. In South and Southeast Asia, the Ramayana and Mahabharata are epic works in Sanskrit. Epics often serve nation-building or moral purposes, presenting collective memory and values through legendary figures.

In modern usage, the term epic can describe anything grand in scale or ambition, even outside poetry or fiction. The concept has given rise to subgenres such as the mock-epic and the historical epic in film and literature. The idea remains central to discussions of form, scope, and voice in narrative art.

In contemporary times, “Epic” is also used as a proper name for organizations and products, such as Epic Games, a video game and software company, and Epic Systems, a healthcare software company. The acronym EPIC is used by various organizations, including privacy and advocacy groups.