Table of Contents
Authorship & Historical Context
The epics Iliad and Odyssey are attributed to Homer and belong to the earliest major literary works of ancient Greece.
They mark a pivotal transition from oral tradition to written literature among the Greeks.
Homer is traditionally regarded as the author of both works. However, his actual existence, precise identity and timeline remain uncertain (the so-called "Homeric question"). The epics emerged in the Archaic period of Greece (roughly 800-500 BCE).
The Iliad
The Iliad focuses on a slice of the Trojan War (traditionally ~1200 BCE), centring around the Greeks’ siege of the city of Troy and the figure of Achilles. Although based on oral tradition, it was eventually captured in a fixed poetic form (dactylic hexameter) and includes formulaic language, epithets, and other features. It reflects not just heroic warfare, but also themes of honour, mortality, divine-human interaction, and fate.
The Odyssey
The Odyssey recounts the long homecoming (nostos) of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, following the Trojan War, including adventures, challenges, and wanderings. It is often considered the first "adventure novel" of world literature (in a broad sense) thanks to its narrative structure and episodic journeys. The epic begins not at the start of Odysseus's journey, but with his near-return, and then employs flashbacks and parallel narratives.
Literary & Cultural Significance
These epics formed a cornerstone of Greek education, culture, and identity: the heroic past, gods, and human fate. They illustrate how Greek literature evolved from oral performance traditions, eventually becoming written texts with a lasting influence. Works by Homer influenced not only ancient Greek and Roman literature but also later Western thought, art, and education.
Key Characteristics of the Epics
Use of dactylic hexameter as the poetic metre. Rich in formulaic expressions, epithets ("swift Achilles", "rosy-fingered dawn"), and repeated narrative motifs due to their oral roots. Interplay of human and divine actors: gods intervene, heroes struggle with fate, pride, honor, and mortality. Reflects the social values of the time, including heroism, loyalty, the importance of home, the cost of war, and the journey.
Why This Matters for Students
Understanding Homer, and especially the Iliad and Odyssey, helps with:
- Recognising the roots of Western literature and epic tradition.
- Appreciating how oral traditions transform into written literature.
- Seeing how myth, history, and culture interplay in ancient narrative.
- Understanding recurring themes in storytelling: journey, homecoming, conflict, honour, divine/human relations.