Classic Ancient Literature: The Odyssey

The Odyssey, composed by Homer around 675-725 B.C., is one of the most influential pieces of Western literature of all time. It is the second oldest extant epic poem. This tale depicts the brutal journey of a Greek war hero, Odysseus, attempting to get home after the Trojan War, which Homer also wrote about in The Iliad.

The Odyssey is an epic poem (coming from the Latin word epicus - story), meaning a long, narrative poem. These types of poems were often read aloud or performed in ancient Greece because most of the audience was illiterate. 

Odysseus, the protagonist of Homer’s poem, was the King of Ithaca, and went through many painful ordeals, facing mythological creatures, gods and monsters in order to return to his home island. Once he had arrived, Odysseus needed to overthrow the suitors who had taken control of Ithaca and taken his family captive in his absence. The Odyssey is a classic story of a determined hero fighting for the people that he loves.

This hero-on-a-quest theme, demonstrated in The Odyssey, has since been repeated countless times within modern culture and media. Ranging from mythological films like Lord of the Rings to whimsical novels like Harry Potter, the influence of Homer’s epic is still felt daily. 

Homer’s works have also impacted everyday speech in today’s world. Phrases such as “an odyssey” or “a trojan horse” are common canon. “Ulysses” is the Latin version of the name Odysseus, and can also be seen as a great influence in modern literature, such as in James Joyce’s Ulysses. 

The influence of ancient Greek literature pops up in the most unlikely of places, however, it is important to remember where our favorite stories originated.

References

Guide to the Classics: Homer's Odyssey

Homer's Odyssey Is Officially the World's Most Influential Story

The Influence of The Odyssey and Why It Should Be Required Reading

Wikipedia: Odyssey