The Kalevala, created during the 1830s & 40s, is based on folklore collected & compiled by Elias Lonnrot (1802-84). It initiated the process leading to the foundation of Finnish identity during the 19th century & was one of the factors in the formation of Finland as a nation. The Kalevala also sheds light on the general process involved in the formation of other epics, such as the Niebelungenlied, the Edda, the Vedic books & Homer's works. Pentikainen's contribution to the study of international epic is an important contribution to the fields of classics, comparative literature, social history, &, of course, anthropology & folkloristics.