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), Mahabharata (India), and the Journey to the West (China)

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