The Philosopher
Homer
The face
The background
- Nationality:
- Greek
The synopsis
Homer (/ˈhoʊmər/; Ancient Greek: Ὅμηρος, Hómēros; possibly born c. the 8th century BC) was an ancient Greek poet who is widely credited as the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, two epic poems that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature. Although his life and authorship remain obscure, Homer was highly revered in ancient Greek society and is considered one of the most influential authors in history. The Iliad centers on a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles during the last year of the Trojan War. The Odyssey chronicles the ten-year journey of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, back to his home after the fall of Troy. The epics depict man's struggle, the Odyssey especially so, as Odysseus perseveres through the punishment of the gods. The poems are in Homeric Greek, also known as Epic Greek, a literary language that shows a mixture of features of the Ionic and Aeolic dialects from different centuries; the predominant influence is Eastern Ionic. Most researchers believe that the poems were originally transmitted orally. Despite being predominantly known for their tragic and serious themes, the Homeric poems also contain instances of comedy and laughter. The Homeric poems shaped aspects of ancient Greek culture and education, fostering ideals of heroism, glory, and honor.
The works
Iliad
Odyssey
The quotes
Words empty as the wind are best left unsaid.
In youth and beauty, wisdom is but rare!
Two friends, two bodies with one soul inspired.
Hateful to me as the gates of Hades is that man who hides one thing in his heart and speaks another.
Two urns on Jove's high throne have ever stood, the source of evil one, and one of good; from thence the cup of mortal man he fills, blessings to these, to those distributes ills; to most he mingles both.
How vain, without the merit, is the name.
True friends appear less moved than counterfeit.
Hateful to me as are the gates of hell, Is he who, hiding one thing in his heart, Utters another.
The charity that is a trifle to us can be precious to others.
Nothing shall I, while sane, compare with a friend.
For rarely are sons similar to their fathers: most are worse, and a few are better than their fathers.
But curb thou the high spirit in thy breast, for gentle ways are best, and keep aloof from sharp contentions.
Without a sign, his sword the brave man draws, and asks no omen, but his country's cause.
Light is the task where many share the toil.
There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.
A sympathetic friend can be quite as dear as a brother.
There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends.
And what he greatly thought, he nobly dared.
A decent boldness ever meets with friends.
Be still my heart; thou hast known worse than this.
Even were sleep is concerned, too much is a bad thing.
Wise to resolve, and patient to perform.
The difficulty is not so great to die for a friend, as to find a friend worth dying for.
Yet, taught by time, my heart has learned to glow for other's good, and melt at other's woe.
It is not good to have a rule of many.
To have a great man for an intimate friend seems pleasant to those who have never tried it; those who have, fear it.
Hunger is insolent, and will be fed.