Homer (c.750–c.650 BCE) is the name given to the fabled author of the Iliad and Odyssey, the two major epic poems that have survived from Ancient Greece. These two poems are essential to Western literature and culture.
Homer’s literary achievement is clouded in academic controversy. Although Homer is depicted conventionally as a blind and bearded man, nothing is known of Homer as a person. Some scholars have even denied his existence. There is not even concurrence on whether a single poet created both the epics.
The Iliad and the Odyssey seem to have been compiled at some time between 750 and 650 BCE, likely derived from older material handed down vocally by singer-poets. Homer’s achievements are therefore considered oral creations, not literary ones. In other words, Homer made his poems in performance, borrowing and adapting stories, ideas, and phrases from the oral tradition of a preliterate culture.
Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, a renowned authority on Ancient Greece and its literature, suggested that the Iliad was the work of ‘Homer,’ an 8th century BCE poet from Ionia, south of Troy in Asia Minor (contemporary Turkey.) He combined and remodeled earlier poems, and his work was, in turn, enlarged and remodeled by others. The Odyssey is commonly believed to consist of a substantial core poem with some later addendums.
The Iliad describes the events preceding the Trojan War—the fatal and pivotal combat between Achilles, the Greeks’ greatest warrior, and the Trojan champion Hector in a battle that ensures Troy’s fall. The Odyssey portrays the adventures of the Greek hero Odysseus as he returns home after the fall of Troy.
Alexander Pope and E. V. Rieu produced the popular 18th- and 20th-century translations of the Iliad and the Odyssey.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Homer
There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends.
—Homer
Topics: Marriage
Even his griefs are a joy, long after, to one that remembers all that he wrought and endured
—Homer
Topics: Grief
I live an idle burden to the ground.
—Homer
Topics: Idleness
The charity that is a trifle to us can be precious to others.
—Homer
Topics: Service
Be still my heart; thou hast known worse than this.
—Homer
Topics: Adversity
In saffron-colored mantle, from the tides of ocean rose the morning to bring light to gods and men.
—Homer
Achilles absent was Achilles still!
—Homer
Topics: Absence
A decent boldness ever meets with friends.
—Homer
Topics: Confidence, Boldness, Courage
To him who hearkens to the gods, the gods give ear.
—Homer
Topics: Prayer
The rule Of the many is not well. One must be chief In war and one the king.
—Homer
Topics: Royalty
Men grow tired of sleep, love, singing and dancing sooner than of war.
—Homer
Topics: Adversity
It is the bold man who every time does best, at home or abroad.
—Homer
Topics: Courage
Too much rest itself becomes a pain.
—Homer
Topics: Rest
And what he greatly thought, he nobly dared.
—Homer
Topics: Bravery, Courage
Not vain the weakest, if their force unite.
—Homer
Topics: Unity
Light is the task where many share the toil.
—Homer
Topics: Teams, Work, Teamwork, Help
By Jove the stranger and the poor are sent, and what to these we give to Jove is lent.
—Homer
And they die an equal death – the idler and the man of mighty deeds.
—Homer
Topics: Death
For too much rest becomes a pain.
—Homer
Topics: Rest, Leisure
Even where sleep is concerned, too much is a bad thing.
—Homer
Topics: Sleep
Persuasive speech, and more persuasive sighs, Silence that spoke and eloquence of eyes.
—Homer
Topics: Speaking, Speakers
Anger, which, far sweeter than trickling drops of honey, rises in the bosom of a man like smoke.
—Homer
Topics: Anger
Without a sign, his sword the brave man draws, and asks no omen, but his country’s cause.
—Homer
Topics: Patriotism, Brave
The persuasion of a friend is a strong thing.
—Homer
Topics: Persuasion
Fate is the same for the man who holds back, the same if he fights hard. We are all held in a single honor, the brave with the weaklings. A man dies still if he has done nothing, as the one who has done much.
—Homer
All strangers and beggars are from God, and a gift, though small, is precious.
—Homer
A sympathetic friend can be quite as dear as a brother.
—Homer
Topics: Family, Friends, Friendship, Brothers
If yet not lost to all the sense of shame.
—Homer
Topics: Shame
Two urns on Jove’s high throne have ever stood,
The source of evil one, and one of good;
From thence the cup of mortal man he fills,
Blessings to these, to those distributes ills;
To most he mingles both.
—Homer
Topics: Living
Yet, taught by time, my heart has learned to glow for other’s good, and melt at other’s woe.
—Homer
Topics: Understanding
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Euripides Ancient Greek Dramatist
Epicurus Greek Philosopher
Sophocles Ancient Greek Dramatist
Hesiod Greek Poet
Epictetus Ancient Greek Philosopher
Heraclitus Ancient Greek Philosopher
Bias of Priene Greek Orator
Aristotle Ancient Greek Philosopher
Xenocrates Greek Philosopher, Scientist
Plotinus Ancient Greek Philosopher, Mystic