Homer, the legendary ancient Greek poet traditionally credited with composing the Iliad and the Odyssey, is believed to have lived between the 12th and 8th centuries BCE, though little is known about his life, and some scholars debate whether he was a single individual or a name representing a tradition of oral poetry. The Iliad recounts the story of the Trojan War, focusing on the hero Achilles and themes of rage, honor, and fate, while the Odyssey follows Odysseus’ long journey home, exploring perseverance, cunning, and the human struggle against divine and mortal challenges. Both epics, written in dactylic hexameter, are foundational to Western literature and have profoundly influenced culture, art, and thought for millennia, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire adaptations and scholarly exploration today.