Homer

Who is Homer?

Homer is the name traditionally given to the ancient Greek poet credited with composing the Iliad and the Odyssey, the two great epic poems that stand at the foundation of Western literature. Little is known with certainty about his life; ancient tradition variously placed his origins in Ionia, and he was often depicted as a blind bard. The Iliad recounts episodes from the Trojan War, focusing on the wrath of Achilles, while the Odyssey follows the hero Odysseus on his long journey home to Ithaca. Composed within the oral tradition of formulaic verse, these epics were likely shaped over generations before being written down. Their themes of heroism, fate, honor, and homecoming, along with their vivid characters and poetic craft, have influenced countless writers and remain central to the study of classical literature and Greek cultural identity.

Sources: Homer, Iliad · Homer, Odyssey · Herodotus, Histories (Book II)