Final answer:
An epic is a long narrative poem detailing the heroic adventures that are significant to a nation or race. Epics like Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey are classical examples that define this genre, which is marked by its scale and traditionally heroic meter.
Step-by-step explanation:
An epic is a long narrative poem that plays a significant role in the history, culture, and values of a race or country. It often details the ventures and feats of legendary or heroic figures. Homer's epic poems, such as The Iliad and The Odyssey, exemplify this tradition, showcasing the principle of arete and highlighting the Greek virtue of excellence in both moral and physical realms. Homer utilized the heroic measure, deemed most fitting for epics because of its stateliness and capacity for grand language.
In contrast, a ballad captures stories commonly through quatrains and is often accompanied by music, stemming from a tradition of oral storytelling where the rhythm of the poem was crucial. The construction of an epic poem is distinct also in scale compared to other forms such as the Tragedy.
The Mahabharata, another monumental epic, delves not only into a historical battle but also into the wealth of Hindu philosophy and moral teachings. It's notable for its length, standing as one of the longest epics in literary history, with over 200,000 verses.