What do you think?
Rate this book
Homer
This concise book is a complete and contemporary introduction to Homer and his two master-works, the Iliad and the Odyssey. It explains the "Homeric Question," illuminating its current status, and critiques the literary qualities of the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey," analyzing and contrasting their plotting, narrative technique, and characterization.
Provides historical background and literary readings of "The" "Iliad" and "The Odyssey"
New to the second edition: a section on Homer's reception in ancient Greece; a chapter on Homer and archaeology; additional maps; an updated bibliography; a glossary of key terms; and information on the oral composition of the poems
Text is updated throughout
Assumes no prior knowledge of Greek
Provides historical background and literary readings of "The" "Iliad" and "The Odyssey"
New to the second edition: a section on Homer's reception in ancient Greece; a chapter on Homer and archaeology; additional maps; an updated bibliography; a glossary of key terms; and information on the oral composition of the poems
Text is updated throughout
Assumes no prior knowledge of Greek
- GenresNonfictionBiography
257 pages, Paperback
Published April 28, 2007
2 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 19, 2026
Personally, I think this is the best introduction to Homer I've read so far. Powell’s extensive chapter on the life and work of the first and most famous Ancient Greek writer may require some perseverance from the reader, but you'll be rewarded with a highly relevant discussion of the centuries-old debate about who Homer actually was and how the works attributed to him (or them) came about. This is followed by fairly extensive summaries of the Iliad and the Odyssey, though I highly recommend reading the complete translations. Powell concludes with an impressive reminiscence of Homer and his works; on this I previously read Manguel's Homer's the Iliad and the Odyssey: A Biography, but Powell’s book is much more comprehensive and to the point. Highly recommended.
More about Powell's own perspective on Homer can be found in my History account on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
More about Powell's own perspective on Homer can be found in my History account on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
Read
January 3, 2026Barry B. Powell (born 1942, University of Wisconsin) has already written a considerable number of introductory books on the literature of Ancient Greece. In them, he demonstrates his expertise and proves that it is also possible for academics to write intelligibly and maintain a high level of proficiency. His translations of classical Greek works have also received considerable praise.
Apparently, Powell is known for his bold stances. On Wiki, I read that he holds highly idiosyncratic views on, for example, the origins of the Cuneiform and Phoenician scripts. And he revisits these views briefly in this book, where in the first chapter he delves deeply into the debate about the prior oral transmission of the Iliad and the Odyssey. Through a lengthy argument, he attempts to prove that the Homeric poems were not the compilation of pre-existing written texts, but a consciously dictated oral work of art, for which the Greek alphabet was even invented specifically. I'm not sure I can endorse that conclusion, but Powell does argue clearly.
Anywaty, I can but agree with his conclusion about the historical value of the Iliad and the Odyssey: “we can never get real ‘history’ out of the Homeric poems, but we can learn what Greeks in the eighth century BC thought about the world and about themselves. It turns out they were a lot like us.” I can surely recommend this introduction to homer.
Apparently, Powell is known for his bold stances. On Wiki, I read that he holds highly idiosyncratic views on, for example, the origins of the Cuneiform and Phoenician scripts. And he revisits these views briefly in this book, where in the first chapter he delves deeply into the debate about the prior oral transmission of the Iliad and the Odyssey. Through a lengthy argument, he attempts to prove that the Homeric poems were not the compilation of pre-existing written texts, but a consciously dictated oral work of art, for which the Greek alphabet was even invented specifically. I'm not sure I can endorse that conclusion, but Powell does argue clearly.
Anywaty, I can but agree with his conclusion about the historical value of the Iliad and the Odyssey: “we can never get real ‘history’ out of the Homeric poems, but we can learn what Greeks in the eighth century BC thought about the world and about themselves. It turns out they were a lot like us.” I can surely recommend this introduction to homer.
May 21, 2014
I teach Homer's epics in my humanities classes, so I read this book for useful information and interpretation. It delivered. A chapter on how Homer's poems came into existence, another on the poems' historical validity, and then 50 pages each on the Iliad and the Odyssey. Ends with a short piece on how the poem was interpreted in the ancient world. Great for course prep.
Powell's ideas about the epics are neither nutty nor obvious. For the most part, he breaks them down book-by-book, and his standard approach is to summarize, remind you of relevant information from other parts of the book, compare/contrast with the myths of other cultures, offer archeological evidence for this or that, and comment on the tone of the piece ("this is supposed to be funny," "this reminds us that the war is far from won"). I raised my eyebrows occasionally while reading, but I'm sure everybody's interpretations of Homer are idiosyncratic. At least Powell actually interprets, and he knows a lot, so that helps.
Another strength of the book is Powell takes archeology and geography very seriously, so he can tell us when Homer is describing an actual place very well, and likewise he can tell us when some details seem off, or Homer might be referring to this or that place, or this scene is set in a fairyland. The book has several maps and photographs, many of which were taken by Powell himself. He actually has been to all these places.
Like a lot of contemporary classicists, Powell wholeheartedly accepts the Parry thesis (Homer's epics are oral compositions and that much of what's in them is purely formulaic and "traditional," meaning that "Homer" is usually adding things for convenience, not to advance any ideas or stimulate responses) and yet he still interprets the poems as if somebody composed them with intentions. So Powell still writes about "Homer" without telling us who he thinks Homer was, though he pretty much implies that Homer lived in the 8th century BC and may have received a lot of this material but still put it together his own way and for his own purposes. He probably wasn't the guy who wrote the poems down but he may have been the guy who dictated them.
Powell also includes a lot of useful information about ancient literature and the history of alphabets, and it's all interesting if you're the kind of person who finds that stuff interesting.
Powell's ideas about the epics are neither nutty nor obvious. For the most part, he breaks them down book-by-book, and his standard approach is to summarize, remind you of relevant information from other parts of the book, compare/contrast with the myths of other cultures, offer archeological evidence for this or that, and comment on the tone of the piece ("this is supposed to be funny," "this reminds us that the war is far from won"). I raised my eyebrows occasionally while reading, but I'm sure everybody's interpretations of Homer are idiosyncratic. At least Powell actually interprets, and he knows a lot, so that helps.
Another strength of the book is Powell takes archeology and geography very seriously, so he can tell us when Homer is describing an actual place very well, and likewise he can tell us when some details seem off, or Homer might be referring to this or that place, or this scene is set in a fairyland. The book has several maps and photographs, many of which were taken by Powell himself. He actually has been to all these places.
Like a lot of contemporary classicists, Powell wholeheartedly accepts the Parry thesis (Homer's epics are oral compositions and that much of what's in them is purely formulaic and "traditional," meaning that "Homer" is usually adding things for convenience, not to advance any ideas or stimulate responses) and yet he still interprets the poems as if somebody composed them with intentions. So Powell still writes about "Homer" without telling us who he thinks Homer was, though he pretty much implies that Homer lived in the 8th century BC and may have received a lot of this material but still put it together his own way and for his own purposes. He probably wasn't the guy who wrote the poems down but he may have been the guy who dictated them.
Powell also includes a lot of useful information about ancient literature and the history of alphabets, and it's all interesting if you're the kind of person who finds that stuff interesting.
July 16, 2025
pretty good introduction to homer. in its first part this covers the origin and attribution of Homer’s physical texts, Homer in relation to history and the Bronze Age and Homer’s texts as literature. in its second part this chronologically discusses the stories of the Iliad and Odyssey with some (although limited) readings and interpretations that move beyond the content of the poems. accessible and a smooth read
Read
February 10, 2021لو فكرت بالتقصي حول الجانب اللغوي أو التاريخي فيما يخص الإلياذة والأوديسة سأعود لهذا الكتاب. مرجعي وثريّ وسلس في عرض أفكاره وترجمته.
December 5, 2021
This is a concise and independent guide to Homer and the Homeric poems. A good jumping off point. It helps that Powell writes well.
Read
May 26, 2016For me this was a great revelation. There are so many new ideas about things like time-lines, archaeology and reinterpretations of Homer's stories. Many references to works which could lead to hours of study and adventure.
Do not be fooled by the cover which makes this look like a mere overview of material already known. It is much more than that. I was knocked out. Enjoy
Do not be fooled by the cover which makes this look like a mere overview of material already known. It is much more than that. I was knocked out. Enjoy
June 23, 2025
اسم الكتاب: هوميروس (دراسة)
الكاتب: باري ب. پاول (Barry B Powell) - باحث أمريكي في الدراسات الكلاسيكية
تاريخ صدور الكتاب: 2003
التقييم: 5/5
يبدأ الكتاب بمناقشة ثلاثة مباحث هامة:
1- ملحمتا هوميروس عند علماء فقه اللغة: وهو البحث الذي يعني بشكل النص الأول لملحمتي هوميروس، وظروف كتابته، ومدى موافقته للنص الحالي. وفي هذا الفصل يتعرض الباحث للعديد من النقاط الشيقة؛ مثل نشأة اللغة اليونانية، ومدى تميزها في التعبير الصوتي عن سائر اللغات المعاصرة لها، كأنها قد تم اختراعها خصيصاً لكتابة ملحمتي هوميروس. والمعلومات المتوفرة لدينا بشأن أقدم النصوص، والشعر الشفاهي وإمكانية إرتجال وإلقاء قصائد بهذا الحجم شفاهياً، والعلامات المؤيدة للأصل الشفاهي لملحمتي هوميروس. وقد توقفت إعجاباً أمام جهد الباحث الأمريكي ميلمان باري وتنقله في جنوب البلقان واستماعه للعديد من الشعراء الشفاهيين الذين يسموا بالجوسلاري، نسبة إلى الجوسلا ، وهي آلة موسيقية ذات وتر واحد يستعملونها في إنشاد قصائدهم. كما تطرق الباحث إلى الرابسوديين، أو المنشدين الملحمين في اليونان القديمة، والذين كانوا يلقون نقلاً عن نصوص مكتوبة. كذلك أشار الباحث إلى الصيغ المدبجة، مثل الصفات الملازمة للأسماء (أوديسيوس الواسع الحيلة، أخيل ذو القدمين السريعتين، والفجر ذو الأنامل الوردية)، وكيف كان يستخدمها هوميروس لضبط الوزن الشعري.
2- ملحمتا هوميروس عند المؤرخين: ويهتم هذا البحث بالمعلومات التاريخية التي يمكن أن نستخرجها من الملحمتين، والحد الفاصل بين الأحداث من خيال الشاعر والأحداث الواقعية التي تنقل لنا حياة الناس الحقيقية في تلك الأزمان السحيقة. وهل ينقل لنا هوميروس شكل الحياة في الزمن الذي دارت فيه حرب طروادة أم في زمنه هو.
3- ملحمتا هوميروس عند القراء: ويهتم هذا البحث بما يهم القارئ من حبكة درامية، وتسلسل الأحداث، ومواطن الجمال.
وبعد الانتهاء من تلك الأبحاث القيمة يقدم لنا الكاتب ملخص لملحمتي هوميروس مع تعليقات هامة توضح الحبكة، وطريقة هوميروس في إبطاء الأحداث مع الحفاظ على التشويق الدرامي، ورمزية بعض الأحداث، وغير ذلك.
الكتاب هام وقيم، وقد أفادني كثيراً، ولا سيما الجزء الخاص بالبحث اللغوي رغم صعوبته بعض الشيء.
الكاتب: باري ب. پاول (Barry B Powell) - باحث أمريكي في الدراسات الكلاسيكية
تاريخ صدور الكتاب: 2003
التقييم: 5/5
يبدأ الكتاب بمناقشة ثلاثة مباحث هامة:
1- ملحمتا هوميروس عند علماء فقه اللغة: وهو البحث الذي يعني بشكل النص الأول لملحمتي هوميروس، وظروف كتابته، ومدى موافقته للنص الحالي. وفي هذا الفصل يتعرض الباحث للعديد من النقاط الشيقة؛ مثل نشأة اللغة اليونانية، ومدى تميزها في التعبير الصوتي عن سائر اللغات المعاصرة لها، كأنها قد تم اختراعها خصيصاً لكتابة ملحمتي هوميروس. والمعلومات المتوفرة لدينا بشأن أقدم النصوص، والشعر الشفاهي وإمكانية إرتجال وإلقاء قصائد بهذا الحجم شفاهياً، والعلامات المؤيدة للأصل الشفاهي لملحمتي هوميروس. وقد توقفت إعجاباً أمام جهد الباحث الأمريكي ميلمان باري وتنقله في جنوب البلقان واستماعه للعديد من الشعراء الشفاهيين الذين يسموا بالجوسلاري، نسبة إلى الجوسلا ، وهي آلة موسيقية ذات وتر واحد يستعملونها في إنشاد قصائدهم. كما تطرق الباحث إلى الرابسوديين، أو المنشدين الملحمين في اليونان القديمة، والذين كانوا يلقون نقلاً عن نصوص مكتوبة. كذلك أشار الباحث إلى الصيغ المدبجة، مثل الصفات الملازمة للأسماء (أوديسيوس الواسع الحيلة، أخيل ذو القدمين السريعتين، والفجر ذو الأنامل الوردية)، وكيف كان يستخدمها هوميروس لضبط الوزن الشعري.
2- ملحمتا هوميروس عند المؤرخين: ويهتم هذا البحث بالمعلومات التاريخية التي يمكن أن نستخرجها من الملحمتين، والحد الفاصل بين الأحداث من خيال الشاعر والأحداث الواقعية التي تنقل لنا حياة الناس الحقيقية في تلك الأزمان السحيقة. وهل ينقل لنا هوميروس شكل الحياة في الزمن الذي دارت فيه حرب طروادة أم في زمنه هو.
3- ملحمتا هوميروس عند القراء: ويهتم هذا البحث بما يهم القارئ من حبكة درامية، وتسلسل الأحداث، ومواطن الجمال.
وبعد الانتهاء من تلك الأبحاث القيمة يقدم لنا الكاتب ملخص لملحمتي هوميروس مع تعليقات هامة توضح الحبكة، وطريقة هوميروس في إبطاء الأحداث مع الحفاظ على التشويق الدرامي، ورمزية بعض الأحداث، وغير ذلك.
الكتاب هام وقيم، وقد أفادني كثيراً، ولا سيما الجزء الخاص بالبحث اللغوي رغم صعوبته بعض الشيء.
March 29, 2018
Currently translating it to Arabic. Such a wonderful book!
January 18, 2014
The author has a good sense of humor for a classicist.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews