Epic Poetry and Greek/Roman Mythology Terms

AP Lang

In Medias Res

“In the middle of things,” when the story starts in the middle. Often utilizes long flashbacks.

Invocation to muse

Invoking inspiration; Homer asking the muse to help him tell a good tale.

Epic

A long poem about a figure who represents a culture.

Myth

Stories that attempt to answer some mystery in the world.

Monomyth

The hero’s journey; the idea that every myth is the same story and that every hero goes on the same journey, just in a recycled way.

Epithet

A nickname (descriptive title) (i.e. “The Grey Eyed Goddess”)

Lofty Style 

Writing, speech or thought that is elevated, noble, grand, or morally high-minded; eloquence. It is out of reach, sophisticated, or “above.”

Epic Simile

A long and elaborate comparison between two unlike things (often multiple lines and dragged out).

Flashback

Scenes that disrupt the chronological timeline to reveal past events. 

Imagery

Vivid language appealing to all five senses, used to create sensory experiences and paint pictures in the mind. 

Aristeia

A hero’s moment of peak glory, usually in battle, where they are courageous and skillful (warrior’s expertise).

Kleos 

Immortal fame or glory that a hero receives from their great deeds (often causing them to die).

Nostos 

The homecoming of a hero after a difficult journey, restoring identity and statis along with their return.

Xenia

The sacred duty of generous hospitality towards guests that is overseen by Zeus.

Metis

The quality of cunning skill, practical wisdom, and adaptability (intelligence).

Mercurial

Someone who possesses a temperament or their mood changes easily (adj)

Icarian

To be destructively ambitious

Narcissism

Excess interest or admiration of oneself and ones physical appearance (noun)

Delphic

Obscure, ambiguous

Ambrosial

Exceptionally pleasing to taste or smell; fragrant 

Stygian

Dark or gloomy; infernal

Labyrinth

A complicated and irregular network of passageways or paths in which it is difficult to find ones way; a maze 

Gorgon

An ugly or repulsive woman / referring to any of the three snake-like figures in mythology whose eyes turn people into stone

Martial

Of, relating to, or suited for war or a warrior

Sisyphean

Denotating or relating to a task that can never be completed

Herculean

Of extraordinary power, extent, intensity, or difficulty

Draconian

(of laws or their application) exceptionally harsh or severe 

Mentor

A trusted counselor or guide

Flora

a treatise on or list of the plant life of a particular region or period

Saturnine

A person, or their manner, that is slow and gloomy (adj)

Nemesis

The inescapable agent of someone’s or something’s downfall, someone’s long-standing rival or archenemy

Titanic

Having great magnitude, force, or power

Lethargy

Lack of physical and mental energy, sluggish, or forgetful (noun)

Promethean

Being creative, rebellious, and innovative in ones solutions 

Daedalean

Ingenious/cunning by design; artistic, intricate, or skillful

Apollonian

Relating to the rational, ordered, and self-disciplined ascpets of human nature 

Adonis

A very handsome young man

Jovial

Characterized by good-humored cheerfulness

Halcyon

Detonating a time in the past that was happy or peaceful 

Siren

A loud prolonged sound or a symbol of warning, a women-bird hybrid creature who would lead sailors to their doom

Tantalize

Torment with the promise of something tat is unobtainable

Dionysian

Relating to the spontaneous or emotional parts of human nature 

Harpy

A creature that is part bird part woman that preys on men / a predatory, leaching woman

Cupidity

Eager or excessive desire, especially to posses something; greed

Protean

Readily assuming different forms or characters; extremely variable or versatile