Epics

Epics are long narrative works that recount the deeds of heroes and events of significant social, historical, or cosmological importance. The term also describes a genre or body of works—across literature, film, and other media—that are characterized by grand scope, elevated style, and ambitious themes.

Historically, epics originated in ancient civilizations. The Epic of Gilgamesh is among the earliest known examples; Greek masterpieces such as The Iliad and The Odyssey shaped classical epic poetry. Later traditions produced Latin epics like Virgil’s Aeneid and Indian epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Medieval and modern authors have continued the form, often blending myth, legend, and social memory.

Common features of epics include elevated language, invocation of a muse, and narratives that begin in medias res. They typically center a heroic figure or a collective hero, involve a long journey or voyage, include catalogs or long lists, employ epic similes, and feature the involvement of gods, fate, or larger cosmic forces. Thematic concerns often address courage, leadership, honor, fate, and the fortunes of communities or nations.

In contemporary usage, epics endure as long novels, films, or fantasy sagas—works such as sprawling fantasy series or sweeping film epics that aim for a grand, transformative impact. The term also broadens to describe anything of extraordinary scale or duration. In modern software development, an epic is a large body of work that can be broken down into smaller tasks or user stories to manage planning and delivery.