A funeral poem or song of lamentation composed to mourn the dead; another term for a dirge or elegy.
From Greek 'epi' (upon) + 'kedos' (care/sorrow), originally used in ancient Greek funeral rites. The term fell into relative disuse after Classical antiquity but remained in literary scholarship.
Ancient Greeks had 'epicedes' professionally performed at funerals—these weren't just poems but were dramatic performances that could last hours, serving as the ancient world's version of a eulogy combined with a ceremonial ritual.
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