Greek Foundations
Epics
Epics are long narrative poems that tell the adventures of a hero. In ancient Greece, The Odyssey was passed down through an oral tradition, meaning that early versions were recited from memory rather than read from a print version. Like The Odyssey, most epics are very long, and therefore often told in more than one sitting. During ancient times, the audience typically had some familiarity with epics they listened to because they were created from historical events. No matter the culture or age, epics usually share several characteristics. In this interactivity, click on each of the bars in the "accordion" to discover the elements included in epics. Click the player button to begin.
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Homer and The Odyssey
The first epic poem attributed to the famed Greek poet, Homer, The Iliad, recounts the story of the Trojan War. The Odyssey is the second Homeric epic, and tells the story of Odysseus' journey home after the war. Although much speculation exists, very little is actually known about Homer. Most scholars and historians date the origins of The Iliad and The Odyssey to approximately the eighth century B.C. (nearly three thousand years ago). Many sources claim Homer was a blind poet, but other sources state this is speculation based on the translation of his name.
The Trojan War
In order to better understand The Odyssey, you must gain knowledge about the mythological history of the Trojan War, as described by Homer in The Iliad. The war occurred during the Bronze Age, and was fought between Troy and Mycenaean Greece. The location of Troy is in modern day Turkey. As ancient sources describe, the Trojan War began when the Trojan prince, Paris, abducted Queen Helen of Sparta. Others believe Helen left willingly. As a result, Helen's husband, Menelaus, persuaded his brother, Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae, to bring Helen back.
Agamemnon collected a force of over one thousand ships, and with the company of heroes like Odysseus and Achilles, the fleet crossed the Aegean Sea to wage war on Troy. Fighting lasted for over ten years, and many lives were lost, including the Trojan prince, Hector, and the warrior, Achilles. Finally, Greek armies left a huge wooden horse outside of the gates of Troy. The Trojans brought the curious gift into the city, and that night, Odysseus led Greek warriors to climb out of the horse, and conquered Troy.
The Beginning of The Odyssey
After the Trojan War the gods and goddesses were upset with Odysseus because he acted arrogantly, and he believed that he alone had ended the Trojan War. As a result, Poseidon, the angriest of the gods, declared Odysseus would never see his home of Ithaca again. In this interactivity, you will begin reading The Odyssey, and discover the gods' reaction to Odysseus. Click the player button to begin.
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A 19th-century French clock depicting Telemachus
driving a chariot and Athena riding on the back
After leaving Zeus, Athena goes to Ithaca to visit Telemachus. She is disguised as Mentes, who is an old family friend. When she arrives, she finds that there are numerous suitors hanging around Ithaca, hoping to marry Penelope. Because Odysseus has yet to return, there is growing suspicion that he was killed in the Trojan War. The suitors are lazing around and eating all of the home's food. Athena (as Mentes) talks to Telemachus and encourages him to go to Pylos and Sparta.
You may ask yourself why Penelope and Telemachus did not simply ask the suitors to leave Ithaca. In ancient Greece, the concept of xenia meant that a host or hostess was required to show hospitality to guests in his or her home. The idea of xenia is important in The Odyssey. You will see how Homer describes many of the characters based on their observance of this custom.
Greek Foundations Review
Now that you have explored Greek foundations, it is time to review your knowledge and practice what you have learned. In this non-graded activity, read each statement and decide whether it is true or false. Click the player button to get started.