Direct speech is a key feature of epic poetry. It has mimetic and rhetorical qualities, contributes to the characterization of the heroes and conveys emotions. This volume accompanies the launch of the DICES Database of Greek and Latin Epic Speech, mapping direct speech representation from Homer to Late Antiquity. It presents exploratory and methodologically innovative case studies by the project's interdisciplinary group of test users. The project seeks to inspire future research in the field, promoting Digital Humanities methods, drawing on theoretical insights from the fields of social psychology, the study of emotions, and narratology, and expanding the epic canon.