Do You Know Your Homer?

Ancient Greeks (and Romans) revered Homer, so if you had lived in ancient Greece you would have been well-versed in your Homer. His stories showed how warriors were expected to behave and the honor and fame to which they could expect to lay claim: inducements to lay down their lives. You read about gods and goddesses walking about in human form and interfering in human life. Homer (or whoever wrote the Iliad and Odyssey) showed obligations and expected social behavior, but none of the "place your napkin on your lap" variety of etiquette.

Today we tend to look at Homer for clues about ancient life or to trace the history of a literary genre, but he is still important, even though we don't know if he ever lived.

In honor of National Poetry Month, take a look at the proverbially blind bard who sang tales of the Trojan War and the return of Odysseus. Read more about Homer.