In Homer's time there was no Bible
. Linguistics and context indicate that Homer's Iliad and Odyssey were composed and passed down orally some time before 1000 BCE and therefore before any significant part of the Old Testament* was written.
What came before the Odyssey?
Usually considered to have been written down circa the 8th century BC,
the Iliad
is among the oldest extant works of Western literature, along with the Odyssey, another epic poem attributed to Homer which tells of Odysseus's experiences after the events of the Iliad.
When was Odyssey written?
Composition and early translations
Scholars date the writing of the Odyssey to
about 725–675 bce
. The poem was intended for oral performance.
When was the Iliad and the Odyssey written?
The Iliad and Odyssey are conventionally dated to
the late 8th or early 7th century BC
. By this time the use of writing was becoming more widespread in Greece and it seems that the poems were also set down for the first time. But it's clear that the poems contain features preserved from the pre-writing age.
Who wrote the Odyssey and when?
by Homer | 15th -century manuscript of Book I written by scribe John Rhosos (British Museum) | Genre(s) Epic poetry | Published in English 1614 | Lines 12,109 |
---|
Is the Odyssey true?
Homer's
Odyssey is not a true story but a blend of myth and fact
. It is based on myths about the Trojan War, which may or may not have actually occurred.
Why is the Odyssey so good?
The Odyssey is such a timeless story not only for its terrifying monsters, rip-roaring action scenes, and wealth of information on Mediterranean geography and legends but also because it involves the irresistible plot line of a
worthy hero
trying desperately to get back to his city, his family, and his throne.
Should I read Odyssey or Iliad first?
Juan Francisco Although they're not exactly sequential,
I'd recommend you to read The Iliad first, then The Odyssey
. The Iliad provides you huge context, involving the Trojan War, plenty of characters (including Odysseus), and the cosmovision of Ancient Greece.
Which of the Greek gods are twins?
Castor and Pollux (the Dioscuri) are figures from Greek and Roman mythology considered the
twin sons of Zeus or Jupiter
. Semi-divine figures, they were credited with the role of saving those in trouble at sea or in grave danger in war and were particularly associated with horses and sports.
Was the Trojan War real?
For most ancient Greeks, indeed, the Trojan War was much more than a myth. It was an epoch-defining moment in their distant past. As the historical sources – Herodotus and Eratosthenes – show,
it was generally assumed to have been a real event
.
What is the main point of the Odyssey?
In the Odyssey by Homer, the main idea would be
a life's journey that is filled with obstacles
. Odysseus has been at war for ten years and now he has spent ten years trying to get home. The journey has been long and full of trials, tribulations and obstacles.
What is the odyssey about short summary?
The Odyssey is Homer's epic of
Odysseus' 10-year struggle to return home after the Trojan War
. While Odysseus battles mystical creatures and faces the wrath of the gods, his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus stave off suitors vying for Penelope's hand and Ithaca's throne long enough for Odysseus to return.
Who did Calypso marry?
Calypso loves
Odysseus
and wants to make him immortal so he can stay with her and be her husband forever, even though she understands that he doesn't love her back and wants to return to Penelope.
Is Odysseus a god?
Odysseus was born on isle of Ithaca. … Young Odysseus also liked to hunt with his dog, Argos, often going along with him.
He is not a god
, but he does have a connection with the gods on his mother's side of the family. While on one hunting trip, Odysseus was gored by a wild boar, an incident that left a scar.
Does The Odyssey rhyme in Greek?
The most famous Western epics, Homer's Greek “Iliad” and “Odyssey” and Virgil's Latin “Aeneid,” use the primary meter of Greek and Roman poetry — dactylic hexameter
— but no rhyme scheme
.
How does the story of Odyssey begin?
The story begins
ten years after the end of the Trojan War
, the subject of the Iliad. All of the Greek heroes except Odysseus have returned home. Odysseus languishes on the remote island Ogygia with the goddess Calypso, who has fallen in love with him and refuses to let him leave.