Homer

Homer was an ancient Greek poet who is traditionally believed to be the author of two long epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey. These poems are among the oldest surviving works of Greek literature. They describe events connected to the Trojan War and its aftermath. Homer is thought to have lived around the 8th century BCE, but exact dates are not known.

Very little reliable information exists about Homer’s life. Ancient sources describe him as a blind poet who traveled from place to place, reciting poetry. These stories may be symbolic rather than factual. Scholars do not agree on where Homer was born. Several ancient Greek cities, including Smyrna and Chios, later claimed him as their own. Because there is no clear historical record, many details about Homer remain uncertain.

The Iliad tells part of the story of the Trojan War, a long conflict between the Greeks and the city of Troy. The poem focuses on the anger of the warrior Achilles and events during the final year of the war. The Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus, a Greek hero who takes ten years to return home after the war. Together, these poems describe gods, heroes, battles, journeys, and daily life in the ancient Greek world.

Homer’s poems were originally shared through oral tradition, meaning they were spoken and memorized rather than written down. Professional storytellers called bards recited the poems at gatherings and festivals. To help memory, the poems used repeated phrases and a special poetic rhythm called dactylic hexameter. The poems were written down many years later, when writing became more common in Greece.

Some scholars question whether a single person named Homer wrote both the Iliad and the Odyssey. This discussion is sometimes called the "Homeric Question". Some believe the poems were created by many poets over time and later combined. Others believe one main poet shaped both works. There is no final answer, and different views continue to exist.

Despite the uncertainty about his life, Homer’s name became closely linked with early Greek storytelling. His poems were used in education in ancient Greece and were copied many times over the centuries. Today, Homer is remembered mainly as the traditional author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, which remain key sources for understanding ancient Greek myths, beliefs, and society.