Homer is the traditional name associated with The Iliad and The Odyssey, two foundational epics of ancient Greek literature. Although he is widely regarded as one of history's greatest poets, almost nothing certain is known about his life. Ancient accounts describe him as a wandering poet, or aoidos, who recited stories before audiences, but these biographies were written centuries after his supposed lifetime and often mix legend with fact.Homer is generally believed to have lived sometime around the eighth century BCE, although some scholars place him earlier or later. Several cities, including Smyrna, Chios, and Colophon, claimed to be his birthplace. He is also traditionally portrayed as blind, yet this detail may have developed from the figure of the inspired, wandering poet rather than from reliable historical evidence.The Iliad tells of the final period of the Trojan War, focusing especially on the anger of the Greek hero Achilles. The Odyssey follows Odysseus as he struggles to return home after the war. Both poems were shaped by a long oral tradition and use repeated phrases, formal speeches, and familiar story patterns that helped poets memorize and perform them.Scholars continue to debate whether Homer was a single historical poet or a name representing several poets and generations of oral tradition. Regardless of the answer, the Homeric epics have profoundly influenced literature, drama, philosophy, art, and ideas about heroism, fate, loyalty, and homecoming.