The Persian genre of Dastaan has many things in common with the Western epic

tradition. While the two genres have always been considered as being essentially
different from each other, the two share many common themes as well as
stereotypes.
For example, many characters in both daastans and epics are described in an awe
inspiring manner with focus on their superhuman attributes. For every Achilles in
the epic, there is an Asad, boasting the same physical prowess as well as an
unflinching sense of duty towards ones nation.