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The writings of Homer and Hesiod

 

            Most, if not all, of ancient Greek history comes to us from Homer and Hesiod. The works by both differ greatly and each have had there own impact on our present day society. Surviving literature by Hesiod includes but are not limited to Works and Days and Theogony. Homer's works include the Iliad as well as Odyssey. Though along similar subject matter, the two authors differ in their styles and the characters they use in their writings. .
             First, we need to look at Homer. Virtually nothing is known about Homer. It has been rumored that Homer was a woman, a group of writers, and also a blind man. Scholars tend to agree that he/she/they was/were Ionian and lived in the 9th or 8th century BC. It is believed that Homer composed his/her/their works, but never did write them to paper. Homer is said to be of the oral tradition, and thus inspired somebody to put his epic poems on paper. Ancient Greeks esteemed Homer's epic poems as symbols of Hellenistic unity and heroism and as sources of moral and practical instruction. .
             Secondly, we must take a look at Hesiod. Hesiod has been called the father of Greek didactic poetry. Hesiod was a native of Boeotia, a district of central Greece. It is believed by scholars that he started as a rhapsodist ( professional reciter of poetry). It is through his days as a rhapsodist that he learned the techniques and vocabulary of the epic by memorizing and reciting heroic songs. Hesiod attributes his gifts of poetry to the Muses, said to have appeared to him while he was tending sheep. We know that his epics were highly regarded during his time because other bits of history have placed him at the funeral games of Amphidamas at Chalcis on the island of Euboea. Theogany is Hesiod's epic about the creation of the Gods. Though this work owes several significant episodes to Middle Eastern models, the Uranus-Cronos-Zeus succession approximates the pattern of Greek tragic trilogy.


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