Homer was born in either Smyrna (Izmir) Turkey or Chios Greece, some say Homer came to Chios to teach children. The poet created his works 'Iliad' and 'Odyssey' about 800 BCE, which were written down shortly after the invention of the Greek alphabet. Not necessarily by Homer. The 'Iliad' describes the Trojan War and the 'Odyssey' Odysseus' epic trip home. The books are the oldest in greek literature.
There are at least 2 dialects used in Homer's poems, so it is not sure if Homer was one person or two. The people of Chios are convinced that Homer lived there since both dialects were spoken simultaneously. In a village called Daskalopetra (Teachers rock) you can find the rock where Homer might have performed his poems.
On the Ionean island Ithaki you can find the 'school of Homer' and some say that Homer must have lived there for his geographical and historical knowledge of that region. In Greek the name 'Homeron' means: 'He who has to follow' or 'He who does not see', but most probably it means 'He who did not witness' since the books were written 400 years after the story happened.
Some say that the poet must have been performing with closed eyes and was most probably blind, like the singer Demodocus mentioned by Homer in the 'Odyssey', but it all is speculation. One thing however is sure. Everything Homer wrote or sang must have been from hearsay. So Homer needed confirmation for each story to be accurate and to be accepted by his audience.
There are at least 2 dialects used in Homer's poems, so it is not sure if Homer was one person or two. The people of Chios are convinced that Homer lived there since both dialects were spoken simultaneously. In a village called Daskalopetra (Teachers rock) you can find the rock where Homer might have performed his poems.
On the Ionean island Ithaki you can find the 'school of Homer' and some say that Homer must have lived there for his geographical and historical knowledge of that region. In Greek the name 'Homeron' means: 'He who has to follow' or 'He who does not see', but most probably it means 'He who did not witness' since the books were written 400 years after the story happened.
Some say that the poet must have been performing with closed eyes and was most probably blind, like the singer Demodocus mentioned by Homer in the 'Odyssey', but it all is speculation. One thing however is sure. Everything Homer wrote or sang must have been from hearsay. So Homer needed confirmation for each story to be accurate and to be accepted by his audience.
Homer
Daskalopetra, Chios
Homer's school, Ithaki
He who follows