Epic in literature refers to a long narrative poem that tells the story of heroic deeds and adventures of extraordinary characters who, in dealings with gods or other superhuman forces, gave shape to the mortal universe for their descendants. The term "epic" can also be used to describe novels, motion pictures, and other forms of narrative that recount heroic deeds. The prime examples of the oral epic are Homers Iliad and Odyssey, which are composed in dactylic hexameter, a form of meter that became the standard for Greek and Latin oral poetry. The elements that typically distinguish epics include superhuman deeds, fabulous adventures, highly stylized language, and a blending of lyrical and dramatic traditions. Many of the worlds oldest written narratives are in epic form, including the Babylonian Gilgamesh, the Sanskrit Mahâbhârata, and Virgils Aeneid. The epic has also been used to formalize mythological traditions in many cultures. Some examples of epics in literature include Beowulf, Edmund Spensers The Faerie Queene, John Miltons Paradise Lost, and Elizabeth Barrett Brownings Aurora Leigh.