2. Lived in the 8 th Century BC Wrote The Iliad and The Odyssey

3. Many recent scholars believe he is not real  A series of writers… or just one? Traditionally thought of as blind… but may not have been  The name “Homer” can be translated as “blind”

4. The Greeks and the Trojans are at war! Apollo was angry at Agamemnon over a girl  Agamemnon gives up the girl but forces Achilles to give his girl up too Achilles is angry and tells his mom (Thetis) and refuses to fight for Agamemnon and the Greeks  Thetis gets Zeus involved and he sides with the Trojans

5. Athena, Apollo, Zeus, Ares, Poseidon, etc. get involved at various stages…

6. Known for being a great soldier Gets his girl back - still refuses to fight for the Greeks  Odysseus is currently on the frontlines for the Greeks After his best friend, Patroclus, is killed in battle he decides to fight  It was his fault – Patroclus was wearing Achilles’ armor

7. After Achilles reconciles with Agamemnon, Zeus allows the gods and goddesses to fight for the Greeks!

8. The story begins 10 years after the Trojan War (which lasted 10 years)  Odysseus has been away from his family for 20 years!!  His son was an infant when he left… his wife has been waiting for him  Stay tuned to find out what happens….

9. Epic Poem: a long narrative poem about the deeds of gods or heroes Epic Hero: a larger-than-life figure from history or legend  The Hero undertakes a dangerous voyage, demonstrating traits (such as courage, loyalty, and honor) that are valued by the society in which the epic originates Epic Simile: an elaborate comparison that may extend for several lines (like, as, just as, so)