Homer The Great Greek Poet

Homer, is one, if not the most influential Greek writers/poets to ever live. The estimated TOB of Homer is supposedly around the 8th century BC it is guessed that Greek poet Homer was born around the Greek Island Ionia. Though very little is know of the author; he is given credit to writing two of the most familiar and influential pieces of Greek literature ever written. Homer did not only create a basis for education and Greek culture; he accomplished these landmarks during the spreading of the Christian religion.

First, through the creating of The Illiad and The Odyssey, Homer did create a basis for education and Greek culture. These works of Homer very much affected Western standards and ideas. To the Greeks, they were not just everyday literature; they saw the work representing the Hellenic unity and moral instruction. However, there is doubt over whether The Illiad and The Odyssey were composed of the same author. This argument was brought up when the difference in genres between the stories was brought up. But it is still believed by today’s historians that the author of both writings was from a single man.

Second, Homer created a basis for Greek education and Greek culture; he also did this through his style of poetry. It had been one of the most important discoveries from a Homeric scholarship; the discovery was that Homer’s style was oral. Oral poetry is a kind of poetry that is made and passed down by word of mouth and without ever writing it down. When Homer recited these oral poems he liked to call himself “singer”. He introduced a new concept of a very different style of poetry.

Third, Homer created a basis for education and Greek culture; he did this by being so influential and brilliant. During the Hellenistic age, Homer received a hero cult in several cities. Great shrines and sculptures were created by amazing artists and were put in popular territories. For example, Ptolemy IV Philopator built a shrine in Alexandria. And also A marble relief, made in Egypt, brought to Italy was made in his honor. In this piece, Homer is not just a great poet, but he also is an inspired source of all literature.

Fourth, Homer created a basis for education and Greek culture, but mysteries of his authorship are still being questioned today. Most scholars agree that both The Illiad and The Odyssey went through a process of standardization and refinement. Confirming that Homer created not all of today’s version of these writings, but the basic outline is most likely the same. Other scholars, however, maintain their belief in the reality of an actual Homer. Though a possible theory, not much evidence is found of an actual man Homer.

Fifth, Though Homer created a basis for education and Greek culture, his place of origin is a mystery to most scholars. There is a general belief that Homer was a native of Ionia. Which is considerable, considering that the dialect of the poems is Ionian. The most certain, and valuable piece of information proving this general belief is that his descendants, the Homeridae, lived on an Ionic island known as Chios. This location is recalled in both of Homers creations The Illiad and The Odyssey.

Homer did not only create a basis for education and Greek culture through his writings; he did it during the spreading knowledge of Christianity. Being the most influential and bright-minded writers in Greek culture, Homer is still living today, not actually, but through his creations.