Which of the following is a Roman epic?

• A. Iliad
• B. Aeneid
• C. Metamorphoses
• D. Oresteia

Answer: (B)

This item is testing your ability to recognize a national epic by its cultural origin and purpose. A Roman epic is a long narrative poem written in Latin that centers on Rome’s founding, destiny, and values, using grand scale, heroic journeys, battles, and divine involvement to frame Rome’s identity.

The Aeneid fits this perfectly. Virgil’s Latin epic follows Aeneas as he escapes Troy and travels to Italy, where Rome is founded. It embeds Rome’s origins, duties, and imperial vision into a sweeping, formally epic story—combining heroism, piety (duty to the gods and to Rome), and the idea that Rome has a destined future.

Iliad is Greek, an ancient epic about the Trojan War written in Greek. Metamorphoses is a Latin poem by Ovid that weaves myth through transformations rather than focusing on Rome’s founding and destiny. Oresteia is Greek tragedy, not an epic. So the Roman epic among these is the Aeneid.