Literary Sources (The Homeric World)

Literary Sources: The Homeric World

Homer’s Iliad

Homer’s Iliad is one of the key sources of information about the Homeric World.
It tells the story of a small part of the Trojan War, focusing on the wrath of Achilles.
The epic style, with its use of formulaic language, epic similes, and repetition, was designed for oral performance.
While the Iliad may contain historical truths, it is a work of literature and myth, not a historical document.

Homer’s Odyssey

Homer’s Odyssey is the second major ancient Greek epic, detailing the hero Odysseus’s journey home after the Trojan War.
It contains valuable information about social structures, family relationships and the role of hospitality (xenia) in the Homeric world.
The narrative combines elements of realism (especially in the portrayal of Odysseus as suffering and ageing) with fantastical elements such as the encounters with Cyclops and Sirens.
The Odyssey provides insight into the ancient Greek conception of the Underworld and life after death.

Hesiod’s Works and Days and Theogony

Hesiod’s Works and Days and Hesiod’s Theogony, composed around the same time as Homer’s works, give valuable insights into the society and religion of the Homeric age.
Works and Days provides details about the basic conditions of life, such as farming techniques and seasonal labour.
Theogony explores the origins of the gods and the Ancient Greek cosmology.

Other Sources

There are also much later sources that provide information about the Homeric world - e.g., Virgil’s Aeneid.
However, these should be used with caution, as the perspective of these later authors may substantially differ from Homer’s.

Remember that while these literary sources offer valuable insights, they are ultimately works of literature and should not be read as straightforward historical accounts.