Homer 
Odysseus, the Hero of Ithaca 
Adapted from the Third Book of the Primary Schools of Athens, Greece

The following work is a retelling of ‘The Odyssey’ by Homer. The current incarnation of the work uses easier language, since it is intended for use by children in classroom settings. The story is of the Greek hero Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his journey home after the Trojan War. After the war, which lasted ten years, his journey lasted for ten additional years, during which time he encountered many perils and all his crew mates were killed. In his absence, Odysseus was assumed dead, and his wife Penelope and son Telemachus had to contend with a group of unruly suitors who were competing for Penelope’s hand in marriage.

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Homer, the legendary ancient Greek poet, is traditionally credited as the author of the epic poems, the ‘Iliad’ and the ‘Odyssey’. While the historical existence of Homer as a single individual is a matter of scholarly debate, his works have had a profound influence on Western literature and are considered cornerstones of the Greek literary canon. The ‘Odyssey’, attributed to Homer, tells the tale of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and his perilous journey home after the fall of Troy. It is a narrative replete with themes of adventure, loyalty, and the cunning resilience of its hero. The adapted storybook titled ‘Odysseus, the Hero of Ithaca’, simplifies the original epic for a broader audience, retaining the essence of Odysseus’s trials and triumphs. Homer’s epics are renowned not just for their thrilling plots but also for their exploration of human nature, the divine pantheon, and the ancient Greek concept of heroism. His literary style, exemplified by the use of dactylic hexameter and the employment of devices like epithets and repeated phrases, has been a subject of study and emulation for subsequent generations of poets and writers. Over time, Homer’s work has been translated into numerous languages and has inspired a vast array of literary and artistic creations. Despite the lack of concrete biographical details, Homer’s legacy endures, and he remains a seminal figure in the history of literature.