"A characteristic of Homer's style is the use of epithets, as in \"rosy-fingered\" dawn or \"swift-footed\" Achilles. Epithets are used because of the constraints of the dactylic hexameter (i.e., it is convenient to have a stockpile of metrically fitting phrases to add to a name) and because of the oral transmission of the poems; they are mnemonic aids to the singer and the audience alike.Epithets in epic poetry from various Indo-European traditions may be traced to a common tradition."@en . .