Homer

Homer is the legendary author credited with composing the Iliad and the Odyssey, two foundational works of ancient Greek literature and Western civilization. Very little is known about Homer's actual life, and there are significant debates about whether he actually existed as a single person. According to tradition, he was a blind poet who composed his epics orally, though this characterization comes from later sources. The 'Homeric Question' - the debate about Homer's identity, authenticity, and method of composition - has been ongoing since ancient times. His works demonstrate an intimate knowledge of Greek mythology, warfare, and cultural practices of the Bronze Age and early Iron Age. The sophisticated narrative techniques, complex characters, and profound themes in his works suggest either a single genius or a refined oral tradition that culminated in these masterpieces. If Homer was indeed a single person, he likely lived in Ionia (modern-day western Turkey) and composed his works through oral performance, which were later written down and standardized.