1. General Introduction and Books 1-12
The Odyssey
General Introduction
and Books 1-12
Shipwreck scene on a Greek vase painting (8th century)

2. The Poet and his Works
- Homer lived in the second half of the 8th century in western Turkey (probably Izmir)
Wrote two major epics:
Iliad
Odyssey
- Was a professional poet, probably of noble origin
Statues of Homer
from the Roman Period
Figurine of
a poet with
a harp,
8th century BC

3. The Trojan War: myth or reality?
Neither archaeology nor historical sources have provided evidence that the Trojan War really took place as described in the Homeric epics.
However, this does not mean that the epics contain no truth at all. Poetry is not history!
Clearly the important geo-strategic position of Troy always led to conflicts over control of the city.
Homer and other poets may have combined the many smaller wars fought at Troy into one single event of unprecedented scale.
For the Ancient Greeks the Trojan War certainly reflected historical reality.

4. Literacy in Greece at the time of Homer
Origin of the alphabet in Phoenicia.
Introduced from there to Greece during the 8th century.
Earliest inscription in Greek alphabetic script (late 8th century) already contains a reference to Homers Iliad.

5. The Odyssey: The Contents
Trojan War: 10 years
Odysseus’ wanderings: 10 years
Period actually
covered: 40 days
Retrospective:
Books 9-12
24 books:
- Books 1-4: Council of the gods, situation on Ithaca
- Books 5-12: Odysseus wanderings
Books 13-16: Odysseus outside of the palace
Books 17-22: Odysseus inside the palace
Book 23: Odysseus in his bedchamber

6. The Geographical Framework
Troy
Ithaca
Only the starting and ending points of Odysseus’ wanderings can be placed on a map. All other locations remain unknown.

7. Odysseus’ Deeds
The Trojan Horse
The blinding of the Cyclops

8. Odysseus’ attributes Hero with strength and courage
Pious, always honoring the gods
Intelligent and resourceful
Able to endure suffering
Determined to reach his goal

9. Fate or free will?
‘But when in the circling of the years that very year came in which the gods had spun for him his time of homecoming …’ (Book 1, 16-17)
‘Even so he could not save his companions, hard though he strove to; they were destroyed by their own wild recklessness, fools, who devoured the oxen of Helios, the Sun God, and he took away the day of their homecoming.’ (Book 1, 6-9)
‘Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame upon us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given …’ (Book 1, 32-34)

10. The Gods Zeus: father of the gods; impartial judge Poseidon:
god of the sea;
Odysseus’ adversary
Athena:
goddess of
wisdom;
Odysseus’ helper