Dispelling Some Myths: Homer who?

The writer credited with composing the Iliad and the Odyssey [1], often regarded as one of the most important authors of all time, is the most overrated historical figure, at least in the mind of Professor Michael Scott. That is largely because there is no one person called Homer. Careful study of those works, as well as other surviving epic fragments, has shown that they were not written at a single time by one person. Rather, it is likely that the Iliad and Odyssey were composed over generations by poetry performers known in ancient Greek as rhapsodes.

Each of rhapsōidos improved on the work of their predecessors, curating these epics and honing them to perfection. From probably around 700 BC these works started to be transmitted in a more constant format. Around 550 to 500 BC, they were written down for the first time. The belief circulating by then subscribed their genesis to one particular poet: Homer. The idea of a single, genius author remains much simpler to conceive and a more attractive option than having to accept a slow process of evolution involving hundreds of different creators.

In the end a whole narrative was woven around the likely fictitious Homer: that he lived on the island of Chios, that he was blind, and even that he may have had some divine parentage. In fact, the notional Homer became so popular that later rhapsodes, doing performances of these now “finished” stable poems, liked to claim themselves the “sons of Homer” for added gravitas and fame. Ancient historians even wrote biographies of Homer as a historical figure, and busts were created of him. Yet, as a single man, he probably never existed at all. Bon appétit!

Reference:

Scott, M, (2026), “Who is the most overrated person in history: Homer”, History Extra Magazine January 2026, London: Immediate Media Company.

Endnote:

1. The Iliad and The Odyssey are two epic poems where the former focuses on the Trojan War and the latter on Odysseus’ journey home. The Iliad is set during the final weeks of the Trojan War, a ten-year siege of Troy by Greek states. It centres on the wrath of Achilles, exploring themes of honour, glory, pride, fate, and mortality. The poem depicts both large-scale battles and intimate personal interactions, with gods actively influencing events. It is composed in Homeric Greek and traditionally divided into 24 books, containing over 15,000 lines, and was performed by rhapsodes at Greek festivals. The Odyssey, in contrast, follows King Odysseus’ ten-year journey back to Ithaca after the fall of Troy. It emphasizes cunning, perseverance, and the importance of home and family, featuring encounters with mythical creatures, divine interventions, and personal trials. While the Iliad is action-driven and war-focused, the Odyssey is more introspective, highlighting the hero’s intelligence and resilience.