Homer the Poet

Homer, is the greatest epic poet of all times. He is the poet of the ancient Greek epics, Iliad and Odyssey.

Homer is a historical person which lived in the second half of the eighth century B.C..In ancient times many Ionian cities claimed Homer’s origin with Smyrne and the island of Chios having the greatest chances.

After the fourth century B.C. many biographies of Homer were written, from which seven survived to our days. In these biographies the lack of assured information was balanced by the use of fantastic evidence. Ancient biographers report that Homer was blind.

Since the sixth century B.C. Homer’s epics became a school book which means that these were the text’s from which young Greeks learned to read. Art was inspired by episodes from Homer’s epics since the seventh century B.C. Many personalities from ancient Greece were influenced by Homer’s heroic spirit and values. It is said that Alexander the Great, who greatly admired Achilles, always kept the Iliad under his pillow…

An elaborate bust of this great man, made of fine alabaster, which shouldn’t be missing from any bookcase of an admirer of the ancient Greek spirit…

The original bust (150 BC) is exhibited in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.