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Homer
Homer was A Greek poet, to whom are attributed the great epics, the Iliad, the story of the siege of Troy, and the Odyssey, the tale of Ulysses's wanderings. The place of his birth is doubtful, probably a Greek colony on the coast of Asia Minor, and his date, once put as far back as 1200 BC, from the style of the poems attributed to him is now thought to be much later. Arguments have long raged over whether his works are in fact by the same hand, or have their origins in the lays of Homer and his followers (Homeridae), and there seems little doubt that the works were originally based on current ballads which were much modified and extended. Of the true Homer, nothing is positively known. The so-called Homeric hymns are certainly of a later age.
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Where is this quote: "In Egypt, the men are more skilled in medicine..."
This is an often quoted line in Homer's the Odyssey and you can find this phrase in many literary papers. However, where does it reside in the actual books? In all the areas I have searched the line is quoted, but the source or location is never mentioned. Want to help? The searchable Odyssey on this site is not working. Thanks!
Posted By madriscoll at Thu 12 Jan 2012, 10:21 AM in Homer, || 3 Replies
Who is Homer?
I know there are several theories relating to Homer's identity e.g. he was an army medic or a poet living several lifetimes before Herodotus'. There's also the theory though that "Homer" is not a person, but a collection of people who wrote down the Iliad and Odyssey from its oral tradition for hundreds of years. What is/are the current theory/theories on Homer's identity?
Posted By Austin Butler at Thu 15 Sep 2011, 8:44 AM in Homer, || 1 Reply
Abridged versions or other options
As a committed reader of great literature, I've felt a growing unease at having never read any Homer. The Illiad and Odyssey are both on my to-read list. Problem is I really have very little interest in reading Homer other than to basically get it out of the way and move on. IOW, I want to have knowledge of Homer but don't want to spend the time. Are there any abridged versions out there? Seems like blasphemy but in the time it would take to do a serious reading of these two works, I could enjoy a good handful of other great books. Of course, I might end up enjoying Homer, who knows...
Posted By DougSlug at Wed 8 Dec 2010, 1:53 PM in Homer, || 3 Replies
Human sacrifice?
In book three, Agamemnon cements the truce with a sacrifice. Is this a human sacrifice?
Posted By portcontrol7 at Tue 2 Nov 2010, 3:48 PM in Homer, || 1 Reply
Why do we attribute to the odyssey of Homer?
Why do we attribute to the odyssey of Homer?
Posted By salahbastawy at Tue 12 Oct 2010, 4:25 PM in Homer, || 11 Replies
Homer and Greek Tragedy
Kind of bumped into these forums on accident when I typed "Dostoevsky Nabokov" into a google search but am certainly looking forward to coming here more often. As regards this topic specifically though I'm looking for works (such as the Cambridge Companion series) that deal with the plot, structure, use of language, sygnificance of myth in both Homer and Greek Tragedy. I'm thinking Kitto's work but am wondering what other works on the subject of Homer or Greek Tragedy are particularly highly regarded. Basically I'm trying to understand what I'm reading on more than just a surface level and apply this knowledge to reading of other texts (poetry, novels, etc.). It needn't be text specifically, lectures might also be helpful. Any help you could give me would be most appreciated.
Posted By rightbackathugh at Tue 24 Nov 2009, 4:27 AM in Homer, || 4 Replies
Hi!
im new here, i was just wondering if someone could post a few (same) passages of iliad and odyssey translated by fagles and lattimore? so i can compare and decide which to buy :) thanks!
Posted By Mediteran at Mon 22 Jun 2009, 5:24 AM in Homer, || 0 Replies
Homer as the predecessor of the pre-socratic philosophers.
To my opinion, Homer with the use of his allegories had inspired the pre-socratic philosophers towards their cosmological theories based on his rational,materialistic - for his times - explanation of natural phenomena.
Posted By diamantis at Wed 15 Oct 2008, 7:54 AM in Homer, || 2 Replies
Help Please!!!!!!!!!!!
I Really Need Help!!!!!!! i need to find out what odysseus finds out on his adventure. i need to find out what does he learn during his journey that helps him get home anyone help please my paper is due in a couple of weeks.
Posted By Ami616 at Fri 6 Jun 2008, 5:02 PM in Homer, || 1 Reply
Which one do you like better The Odyssey or The Iliad
I want to do a vot one which book is the best so i want to ask everybody Which one do you like more The Odyssey or The Iliad
Posted By Ami616 at Tue 27 May 2008, 12:44 PM in Homer, || 0 Replies