Here's why it holds that title:
* Historical Significance: It's one of the earliest surviving examples of French literature, dating back to the 11th century.
* National Symbolism: The poem celebrates the bravery and sacrifice of Roland, a legendary knight who died in battle against the Muslims at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778 AD. This event, though fictionalized in the poem, became a defining moment in French national identity.
* Literary Impact: The Song of Roland helped shape the development of French literature and influenced many later works, including other chansons de geste (epic poems).
While there are other important epic poems in French literature, like The Chanson de Guillaume and The Chanson de William , The Song of Roland is considered the most influential and enduring, earning the title of "France's epic poem."