Lived in the 8th Century BC

Wrote The Iliad and The Odyssey

Many recent scholars believe he is not real A series of writers… or just one?

Traditionally thought of as blind… but may not have been The name “Homer” can be translated as “blind”

The Greeks and the Trojans are at war!

Apollo was angry at Agamemnon over a girl

Agamemnon gives up the girl but forces Achilles to give his girl up too

Achilles is angry and tells his mom (Thetis) and refuses to fight for Agamemnon and the Greeks

Thetis gets Zeus involved and he sides with the Trojans

Athena, Apollo, Zeus, Ares, Poseidon, etc. get involved at various stages…

Known for being a great soldier

Gets his girl back - still refuses to fight for the Greeks

Odysseus is currently on the frontlines for the Greeks

After his best friend, Patroclus, is killed in battle he decides to fight

It was his fault – Patroclus was wearing Achilles’ armor

After Achilles reconciles with Agamemnon, Zeus allows the gods and goddesses to fight for the Greeks!

The story begins 10 years after the Trojan War (which lasted 10 years) Odysseus has been away from his family for 20

years!! His son was an infant when he left… his wife has

been waiting for him Stay tuned to find out what happens….

Epic Poem: a long narrative poem about the deeds of gods or heroes

Epic Hero: a larger-than-life figure from history or legend The Hero undertakes a dangerous voyage, demonstrating traits (such

as courage, loyalty, and honor) that are valued by the society in which the epic originates

Epic Simile: an elaborate comparison that may extend for several lines (like, as, just as, so)