Homer
Homer
Homeris best known as the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey. He was believed by the ancient Greeks to have been the first and greatest of the epic poets. Author of the first known literature of Europe, he is central to the Western canon...
NationalityGreek
ProfessionPoet
pain way misery
Ah how shameless – the way these mortals blame the gods. From us alone they say come all their miseries yes but they themselves with their own reckless ways compound their pains beyond their proper share.
men blood sheep
...if fifty bands of men surrounded us/ and every sword sang for your blood,/ you could make off still with their cows and sheep.
dog moving son
Rage - Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus' son Achilles, murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses, hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls, great fighters' souls, but made their bodies carrion, feasts for the dogs and birds, and the will of Zeus was moving toward its end. Begin, Muse, when the two first broke and clashed, Agamemnon lord of men and brilliant Achilles.
men honor way
All men owe honor to the poets - honor and awe; for they are dearest to the Muse who puts upon their lips the ways of life.
muse traveller wide
Tell me, O muse, of travellers far and wide
aliens
Immortals are never alien to one another.
mother strong powerful
Come, Friend, you too must die. Why moan about it so? Even Patroclus died, a far, far better man than you. And look, you see how handsome and powerful I am? The son of a great man, the mother who gave me life-- A deathless goddess. But even for me, I tell you, Death and the strong force of fate are waiting. There will come a dawn or sunset or high noon When a man will take my life in battle too-- flinging a spear perhaps Or whipping a deadly arrow off his bow.
tales grain repeats
Why cover the same ground again? ... It goes against my grain to repeat a tale told once, and told so clearly.
lying mouths fiction
I didn't lie! I just created fiction with my mouth!
grief long joy
Even his griefs are a joy long after to one that remembers all that he wrought and endured.
inspirational teenager rocks
A small rock holds back a great wave.
warrior huge dies
Here, therefore, huge and mighty warrior though you be, here shall you die.
men thinking earth
Think not to match yourself against the gods, for men that walk the earth cannot hold their own with the immortals.
true-friend literature counterfeit
True friends appear less moved than counterfeit.