1. The Odyssey

2. Homer Greek poet who lived around 800 BC Greek poet who lived around 800 BC Was thought to be blind, but describes events as a seeing person Was thought to be blind, but describes events as a seeing person

3. Homer Created Two Epic Poems Created Two Epic Poems The Iliad – about the Trojan War The Iliad – about the Trojan War The Odyssey – about the journey home The Odyssey – about the journey home

4. What is an Epic poem? A long narrative poem about a legendary hero. A long narrative poem about a legendary hero. In Homer’s day, it would have been sung with the accompaniment of a lyre In Homer’s day, it would have been sung with the accompaniment of a lyre

5. Legend of the Trojan War

6. The Trojan War supposedly took place around 1200 BC The Trojan War supposedly took place around 1200 BC Paris abducted Helen of Sparta and took her back to Troy Paris abducted Helen of Sparta and took her back to Troy Her husband, King Menelaus, put an army together to go bring her back. Her husband, King Menelaus, put an army together to go bring her back. This army, comprised of soldiers from all the Greek islands, led to the saying that Helen “had the face that could launch a thousand ships.” This army, comprised of soldiers from all the Greek islands, led to the saying that Helen “had the face that could launch a thousand ships.”

8. The Trojan War Lasted around 10 years Lasted around 10 years Was a stalemate Was a stalemate Took the life of Achilles Took the life of Achilles Ended with the “Wooden Horse” plan created by Odysseus of Ithaca Ended with the “Wooden Horse” plan created by Odysseus of Ithaca For the sacking of Troy, Odysseus earned the wrath of the gods who favored the city. For the sacking of Troy, Odysseus earned the wrath of the gods who favored the city.

10. The Odyssey Is all about Odysseus’ journey home. Is all about Odysseus’ journey home. An odyssey is a long journey. An odyssey is a long journey. This journey would take him 10 years to complete This journey would take him 10 years to complete In total, Odysseus was gone from Ithaca for 20 years. In total, Odysseus was gone from Ithaca for 20 years.

12. Brief Outline Odysseus leaves Troy with several ships. Odysseus leaves Troy with several ships. For two years they wander from place to place until he loses all men and ships. For two years they wander from place to place until he loses all men and ships. He is kept by the goddess Calypso for 8 years. He is kept by the goddess Calypso for 8 years. Hermes finally convinces her to let Odysseus go. Hermes finally convinces her to let Odysseus go. He builds a raft and leaves. He builds a raft and leaves.

13. Outline Continued On the sea, he hits a storm. On the sea, he hits a storm. He washes up on the Island of Phaeacia He washes up on the Island of Phaeacia He is found by a young girl named Nausicau, who is the daughter of King Alcinous, the king of the island. He is found by a young girl named Nausicau, who is the daughter of King Alcinous, the king of the island. At a banquet for him, after someone sings a song about Troy, Odysseus reveals to King Alcinous who he is. At a banquet for him, after someone sings a song about Troy, Odysseus reveals to King Alcinous who he is.

14. Outline Continued Odysseus begins to tell the story of his journey to King Alcinous. Odysseus begins to tell the story of his journey to King Alcinous. This is how The Odyssey begins, in flashback. This is how The Odyssey begins, in flashback.