Homer

Homer was an ancient Greek poet. He is believed to have lived around the 8th century BC. He wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey, two of the greatest stories ever told. These epic poems have influenced literature for thousands of years.

Early Life

Very little is known about Homer's real life. Ancient Greeks believed he was blind. Several cities claimed to be his birthplace. He may have been a traveling poet who recited his stories aloud to audiences.

A painting called Homer and His Guide showing the poet.
A painting called Homer and His Guide showing the poet. (William-Adolphe Bouguereau / Wikimedia Commons)

Big Achievements

Homer wrote the Iliad, about the Trojan War, and the Odyssey, about the hero Odysseus's long journey home. These poems are among the oldest works of Western literature. They tell exciting stories of heroes, gods, and adventure that people still read today.

Fun Facts

  • The Iliad and the Odyssey were probably told aloud for hundreds of years before being written down.
  • The word odyssey, meaning a long journey, comes from Homer's Odyssey.
  • Ancient Greek children had to memorize parts of Homer's poems in school.

Did You Know?

Some scholars believe Homer may not have been a single person. The Iliad and the Odyssey might have been composed by many poets over time. Either way, these poems shaped Western storytelling and culture.