"In the battles, as depicted by Homer, the chiefs are the only important combatants, while the people are an almost useless mass, frequently put to rout by the prowess of a single hero. The chief is mounted in a war chariot, and stands by the side of his charioteer, who is frequently a friend." — Smith, 1882

Greek Chariot

"In the battles, as depicted by Homer, the chiefs are the only important combatants, while the people…

A chimera, a legendary animal found in Homer's epic novels.

Chimera

A chimera, a legendary animal found in Homer's epic novels.

Hector, from Homer's Iliad, dressed in armor.

Hector

Hector, from Homer's Iliad, dressed in armor.

An ancient greek epic poet, believed to have written The Illiad and The Odyssey.

Homer

An ancient greek epic poet, believed to have written The Illiad and The Odyssey.

"Homer. Of all the writings that describe this Heroic Age, the most important are the two great narrative poems,- the <em>Illiad</em> and the <em>Odyssey</em>, -attributed to Homer."&mdash;Colby, 1899

Homer

"Homer. Of all the writings that describe this Heroic Age, the most important are the two great narrative…

"Homer" &mdash; Morey, 1903

Homer

"Homer" — Morey, 1903

"Of the Homeric poems the Iliad and the Odyssey were the most distinguished and have alone come down to us. The subject of the Iliad was the exploits of Achilles and of the other Grecian heroes before Ilium or Troy, that of the Odyssey was the wanderings and adventures of Odysseus or Ulysses after the capture of Troy on his return to his native island." &mdash; Smith, 1882

Bust of Homer

"Of the Homeric poems the Iliad and the Odyssey were the most distinguished and have alone come down…

Homer is traditionally held to be the author of the ancient Greek epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey, as well as of the Homeric Hymns. Today the hymns are considered to be later works but many still regard Homer as the author or compiler of the epics.

Bust of Homer

Homer is traditionally held to be the author of the ancient Greek epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey,…

An example of the work of renowned English sculptor, John Flaxman, from illustrations to Homer.

The Conflict between Diomede and Mars

An example of the work of renowned English sculptor, John Flaxman, from illustrations to Homer.

From a hydria or vase painted by the "Siren Painter," this image shows Ulysses and the sirens from Homer's Odyssey.

Ulysses and Sirens

From a hydria or vase painted by the "Siren Painter," this image shows Ulysses and the sirens from Homer's…