The Odyssey

by Derek Walcott, Gareth Hinds, Όμηρος · 1993

The Odyssey is the foundational epic poem of Western literature, traditionally ascribed to the semi‑legendary Greek poet Homer of the 8th‑7th century BCE. Composed of twenty‑four books, it recounts the ten‑year wanderings of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, as he strives to return home after the Trojan War. The narrative weaves together heroic adventure, divine intervention, and the ancient Greek code of hospitality (xenia), exploring themes of loyalty, homecoming (nostos), and the power of wit over brute force. Originally performed orally, the poem has been transmitted through generations and rendered into many modern translations, including the acclaimed modern‑verse version by Robert Fagles. Its enduring influence spans literature, mythology, and the study of oral tradition.