What are the requirements for a story to be considered epic?

The reason I ask this (other then the fact I have a paper due Wednesday) is because dictionary.com defines an epic as"noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style"

but doesn't that almost sound like every story ever written? isn't their a hero in all stories who accomplish great achievements which in the end lead to their intended goal?
 
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