Here's why:
* Length and Scope: Both poems are incredibly long and cover vast narratives spanning years and involving numerous characters and events.
* Heroic Theme: Both poems center around the exploits of heroic figures – Achilles in The Iliad and Odysseus in The Odyssey.
* Elevated Style: The poems use elevated language, formal diction, and often employ similes and metaphors to heighten the emotional impact and grandeur of the narrative.
* Invocation of the Muse: Both poems begin with an invocation to the Muses, goddesses of inspiration, setting the stage for a grand, divinely inspired tale.
* Focus on the Divine: The gods play a significant role in both epics, often influencing the actions of the heroes and shaping the course of events.
* Oral Tradition: While written down, both epics were likely originally composed and transmitted orally, reflecting the conventions of epic poetry in ancient Greece.
Therefore, their length, focus on heroic figures, elevated style, and connection to the divine all point to them being classified as epic poems.