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Why Raamaayan is an Epic?

Indian literature has two great epics (Mahaa Kaavya) - Raamaayan and Mahaabhaarat. Why should they be categorized under epic? To understand this first we will have to understand the characteristics of an epic and then on the basis of those characteristics we can decide that which book can be categorized as an epic.

1. Epic is the story, or a biographical description of a great man or leader of the society or a country in chronological order,
--Raamaayan is about Raam's biographical description from His birth till death - in chronological order.

2. It must start from prayer of God.
--It starts from the Prayer of God.

3. It should describe the detailed account of his life since birth to death in chronological order.
--They do that

4. An epic has to have all the nine Ras in it.
(1) Vaatsalya - Kaushalyaa's love towards Raam 
(2) Shringaar -
--Milan - Sanyog - when Raam sees Seetaa in Pushp Vaatikaa) and
--Virah - Viyog - when Raam weeps for Seetaa after She has been abducted) 
(3) Shaant - while discoursing to Lakshman, Bharat etc
(4) Haasya - Episodes of Naarad, Shoorpanakhaa
(5) Veebhats or Jugupsaa - disgusting - Viraadh's and Kaandh's bodies, and description of dead bodies in war,
(6) Veer or Utsaah - bravery - in war
(7) Shok - sorrow - on Dasharath's death, Jataayu's death, Baali's death,
(8) Krodh - Anger or fury - Paashuraam's anger on Lakshman
(9) Vismaya - Aashcharya - Amazement - Hanumaan's leap over sea, burning Lankaa, entire war are amazing
--It has all the Ras in it.

5. It should have the description of all the seasons of the year.
--It describes all the seasons of the year --
[3/16] - Description of Sharad and Vasant Ritu (winter and spring season) in Aranya Kaand, Chapter 16, at the time of starting living in Panchvatee before meeting Shoorpankhaa.
[4/1] - Description of Vasant Ritu (Spring season) in Kishkindhaa Kaand, Chapter 1 while arriving at Pampaa Sarovar on the way to Rishyamook Parvat..
[4/28] - Varshaa (rainy season) is described in Kishkindhaa Kaand, Chapter 28, when the monkeys are given a holiday
[4/30] - Description of Hemant Ritu by Lakshman, when promised period of waiting for Seetaa's search is over, and Sugreev has still not responded. Raam sends Lakshman to Sugreev in His wrath
[4/43] - Description of Fall, in Kishkindhaa Kaand, Chapter 43, when Hanumaan and others go in search of Seetaa after their exit from the cave of Swayamprabhaa