Which epic characteristic is represented by the opening lines of the iliad by homer?

what shame, what woe is this to greece! what joy
to troy's proud monarch, and the friends of troy!
that adverse gods commit to stern debate
the best, the bravest, of the grecian state.
young as ye are, this youthful heat restrain,
nor think your nestor's years and wisdom vain.
a godlike race of heroes once i knew,
such as no more these aged eyes shall view!
lives there a chief to match pirithous' fame,
dryas the bold, or ceneus' deathless name;
theseus, endued with more than mortal might,
or polyphemus, like the gods in fight?

a.
the use of epic simile
b.
starting in medias res
c.
invoking the muse
d.
the use of epithets