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
For rarely are sons similar to their fathers: most are worse, and a few are better than their fathers.
—Homer
Topics: Parents, Father
But curb thou the high spirit in thy breast, for gentle ways are best, and keep aloof from sharp contentions.
—Homer
Topics: Argument
A guest never forgets the host who had treated him kindly.
—Homer
A sympathetic friend can be quite as dear as a brother.
—Homer
Topics: Friendship, Family, Brothers, Friends
The hearts of great men can be changed.
—Homer
Topics: Change
A decent boldness ever meets with friends.
—Homer
Topics: Confidence, Courage, Boldness
No man of woman born, coward or brave, can shun his destiny.
—Homer
Topics: Destiny
The charity that is a trifle to us can be precious to others.
—Homer
Topics: Service
If yet not lost to all the sense of shame.
—Homer
Topics: Shame
Of all creatures that breathe and move upon the earth, nothing is bred that is weaker than man.
—Homer
And they die an equal death – the idler and the man of mighty deeds.
—Homer
Topics: Death
Anger, which, far sweeter than trickling drops of honey, rises in the bosom of a man like smoke.
—Homer
Topics: Anger
Hateful to me as the gates of Hades is that man who hides one thing in his heart and speaks another.
—Homer
Topics: Deception/Lying, Deception
It is not right to glory in the slain.
—Homer
It is the bold man who every time does best, at home or abroad.
—Homer
Topics: Courage
Even his griefs are a joy, long after, to one that remembers all that he wrought and endured
—Homer
Topics: Grief
Persuasive speech, and more persuasive sighs, Silence that spoke and eloquence of eyes.
—Homer
Topics: Speaking, Speakers
For too much rest becomes a pain.
—Homer
Topics: Leisure, Rest
Twins, even from the birth, are misery and man.
—Homer
Topics: Misery
The Grecian ladies counted their age from their marriage, not from their birth.
—Homer
Topics: Age
It is a wise child that knows his own father
—Homer
Topics: Father
Without a sign, his sword the brave man draws, and asks no omen, but his country’s cause.
—Homer
Topics: Patriotism, Brave
I live an idle burden to the ground.
—Homer
Topics: Idleness
Wisdom never lies.
—Homer
Topics: Wisdom
The wine urges me on, the bewitching wine, which sets even a wise man to singing and to laughing gently and rouses him up to dance and brings forth words which were better unspoken.
—Homer
Topics: Wine
How vain, without the merit, is the name.
—Homer
Topics: Fame
Yet, taught by time, my heart has learned to glow for other’s good, and melt at other’s woe.
—Homer
Topics: Understanding
There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.
—Homer
The rule Of the many is not well. One must be chief In war and one the king.
—Homer
Topics: Royalty
Light is the task where many share the toil.
—Homer
Topics: Teams, Work, Teamwork, Help
In saffron-colored mantle, from the tides of ocean rose the morning to bring light to gods and men.
—Homer
In youth and beauty, wisdom is but rare!
—Homer
Topics: Youth
All strangers and beggars are from God, and a gift, though small, is precious.
—Homer
Not vain the weakest, if their force unite.
—Homer
Topics: Unity
By mutual confidence and mutual aid – great deeds are done, and great discoveries made
—Homer
Topics: Discovery, Confidence
Thou knowst the oer-eager vehemence of youth,
How quick in temper, and in judgement weak.
—Homer
And what he greatly thought, he nobly dared.
—Homer
Topics: Bravery, Courage
Even where sleep is concerned, too much is a bad thing.
—Homer
Topics: Sleep
Reproach is infinite, and knows no end So voluble a weapon is the tongue; Wounded, we wound; and neither side can fail For every man has equal strength to rail.
—Homer
Topics: Anger
Too much rest itself becomes a pain.
—Homer
Topics: Rest
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