Search

The Online Encyclopedia and Dictionary

 
     
 

Encyclopedia

Dictionary

Quotes

 

National epic

The concept of a National epic, a mythological or partly mythological large work of poetry of defining importance to a certain nation, is a product of the 19th century phenomenon of Romantic nationalism. Examples of epics that have been enlisted as "national" include Popol Vuh (Mayans), Kalevala (Finland), Iliad and Odyssey (Greece), Kalevipoeg (Estonia), Beowulf (Anglo-Saxons), Song of Roland (France),Shahnameh (Iran), Mahabharata (India), and the Journey to the West (China)

Last updated: 10-16-2005 22:43:29
The contents of this article are licensed from Wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. How to see transparent copy