Homer

Very little is known about Homer. It is believed that he was born in Asia Minor in

the 8th Century BC and that he was blind. Scholars have disputed his authorship of the

Iliad. Theories suggest that the Iliad is written by

several poets whilst others suggest that he was a woman.

Homer and authorship

The ancient epic of the Trojan War was based

on an oral tradition in which a number of stories are woven together to form a long narrative – the epic cycle.

The story is derived from historical and legendary materials from Homer’s time.

The original epics were not written down, but were composed and sung to musical accompaniment.

Homer and the Epic Cycle

The Epics are structured in a way so that

different episodes can be recited and enjoyed as separate poems or stories.

The heroic ideal in the ancient oral epic is expressed through heroes who strive for personal self fulfilment.

National and patriotic sentiments are less important.

Epics

As a poet, Homer gives written form to the

oral tradition of the epic poets and minstrels who told these stores as entertainment.

The poems that were passed down over the centuries were learned by heart.

The language was formulaic, using repetitious phrases and descriptions of places, people and events as an aid to memory and oral recitation.

Homer