The Greek poet Homer is believed to have been born sometime between the 12th and 8th centuries bc somewhere along the coast of Asia Minor. Though very little is known about this enigmatic figure, he is renowned for his epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey. The Iliad tells the tale of the siege of Troy, the Trojan war, and Paris’ kidnapping of Helen – the world’s most beautiful woman. The Odyssey, set in the period after the fall of Troy, traces the trajectory of the life and exploits of the Greek hero, Odysseus. The Iliad has a strictly formal structure while The Odyssey adopts a more colloquial style. Both epics are laden with startling insights into early human society and human nature.
“Be strong, saith my heart; I am a soldier; I have seen worse sights than this.” The Odyssey by Homer is one of the most famous literary works from Greek antiquity. This epic poem, divided into 24 books, tells the tale of the return journey of Odysseus to the island of Ithaca after the Trojan war. The war lasts ten years and Odysseus then has to spend ten more years returning home, overcoming many challenges along the way, including the wrath of Poseidon, God of Earth and Sea. Odysseus is a heroic figure imbued with astute intelligence and unlimited reserves of courage. On his return, he vanquishes his wife’s suitors with the blessings of Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and War. This triumph of love for home and family over fear and hatred is a common theme in Greek mythology. The Odyssey has resonated with readers across the years and countless re-tellings of the epic in a modern context continue to enthrall both readers and movie-goers.
