9/17 Objective: To introduce the Odyssey using excerpts to illustrate Greek ideals and define arête.

Homer and the Odyssey What does this picture illustrate?

The odyssey is a 12,000 line Greek epic poem dating from the 8th century BCE. The Odyssey recounts the adventures of the Greek hero Odysseus during his 10 year voyage home to Ithaca after the Trojan War in the 13th century BCE. Odysseus is considered the ideal Greek hero: Why?

The poem is ascribed to Homer (700BCE) The poem is ascribed to Homer (700BCE). Homer is considered the earliest Greek poet. Little is know about his life, but he is often referred to as the gifted blind poet. Some scholars believe that a line from a choral song confirms this:

“If anyone should ask you whose song is the sweetest, say: blind is the man and he lives in rocky Chios.” Other scholars believe Homer was the name of a group of bards who sang Mycenaean folktales.

The Odyssey is important because it contains Greek values (arête) These values shaped the “Age of Heroes” during the Mycenaean Period and became the foundations of ancient Greek society.