HomerThe epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey are assigned to the illustrious ancient Greek poet Homer. His precise birth and death dates are uncertain, and even the question of whether he truly existed as a distinct person is up for controversy among acaemics. Homer's poems are regarded as essential pieces of Western literature and have made a significant contribution to language, narrative, and society. While the Odyssey follows the journey of the hero Odysseus as he tries to return home after the war, the Iliad tells the tale of the Trojan War and the hero Achilles. Both works are epic in scale, with vivid depictions of ancient Greek society, religion, and mythology and characters larger than life. Read More Read Less