Epic Poetry/Glossary

The following vocabulary is important in the study of the epic. This is just a glossary that gives a general idea of the term; further research is always encouraged.

Arete

The excellence or moral virtue of a hero.

Aristeia

Literally “excellence,” this is when an epic hero reaches his finest moments in battle.

Aristoi

The “best people,” the nobility or aristocrats. Sharing the same root as arete, the aristos are the heroes of the Homeric epics.

Dactylic hexameter

The meter of epic poetry has six dactyl (a long and two short syllables) feet. This provides the musical rhythm of the verse.

Epithet

Formulaic units used as mnemonic aids and a way to adhere to dactylic hexameter, epithets described characters or things using a characteristic quality, like the “wily Odysseus” or “Pallas Athena.” Homer often used compound adjectives as epithets, like “wine-dark sea” and “rosy-fingered dawn” called Homeric epithets.

Polymêtis

. . .

Polytropos

. . .

Xenia

The code of hospitality or “guest-friendship” exemplified by a pattern of behaviors and expectations between the host and the guest.

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Citations

Works Cited

• Cuddon, J. A. (1976). A Dictionary of Literary Terms (Revised ed.). New York: Penguin.
• Frye, Northrup; Baker, Sheridan; Perkins, George; Perkins, Barbara M. (1997). The Harper Handbook to Literature (Second ed.). New York: Longman.