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 (today’s 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
And they die an equal death – the idler and the man of mighty deeds.
—Homer
Topics: Death
Even where sleep is concerned, too much is a bad thing.
—Homer
Topics: Sleep
If yet not lost to all the sense of shame.
—Homer
Topics: Shame
I detest that man, who hides one thing in the depths of his heart, and speaks forth another.
—Homer
Topics: Deception/Lying, Lies, Communication, Lying
It is the bold man who every time does best, at home or abroad.
—Homer
Topics: Courage
In saffron-colored mantle, from the tides of ocean rose the morning to bring light to gods and men.
—Homer
There is satiety in all things, in sleep, and love-making, in the loveliness of singing and the innocent dance.
—Homer
Topics: Blessings, Appreciation, Gratitude
Of all creatures that breathe and move upon the earth, nothing is bred that is weaker than man.
—Homer
A decent boldness ever meets with friends.
—Homer
Topics: Courage, Boldness, Confidence
In youth and beauty, wisdom is but rare!
—Homer
Topics: Youth
The hearts of great men can be changed.
—Homer
Topics: Change
Two friends—two bodies with one soul inspired.
—Homer
Topics: Friends and Friendship, Friendship
Be still my heart; thou hast known worse than this.
—Homer
Topics: Adversity
But curb thou the high spirit in thy breast, for gentle ways are best, and keep aloof from sharp contentions.
—Homer
Topics: Argument
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
The charity that is a trifle to us can be precious to others.
—Homer
Topics: Service
It is a wise child that knows his own father
—Homer
Topics: Father
Persuasive speech, and more persuasive sighs, Silence that spoke and eloquence of eyes.
—Homer
Topics: Speakers, Speaking
All strangers and beggars are from God, and a gift, though small, is precious.
—Homer
There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.
—Homer
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
Anger, which, far sweeter than trickling drops of honey, rises in the bosom of a man like smoke.
—Homer
Topics: Anger
Twins, even from the birth, are misery and man.
—Homer
Topics: Misery
To him who hearkens to the gods, the gods give ear.
—Homer
Topics: Prayer
No man of woman born, coward or brave, can shun his destiny.
—Homer
Topics: Destiny
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
A guest never forgets the host who had treated him kindly.
—Homer
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
Thou knowst the oer-eager vehemence of youth,
How quick in temper, and in judgement weak.
—Homer
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