Ancient Greek Poet Homer

Homer, traditionally dated to the 8th century BCE, is attributed as the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, two foundational works of Western literature composed in dactylic hexameter. Ancient sources placed him in Ionia, with multiple cities claiming his birthplace. The Iliad recounts events during the Trojan War's final year, while the Odyssey follows Odysseus's decade-long return voyage. Scholarly debate known as the "Homeric Question" examines whether a single author composed both works or whether they emerged from oral tradition.