Homer (8th century CE) was an ancient Greek poet who is most-famously credited as the author of The Iliad and The Odyssey, both epic poems that are still regarded as foundational works of Greek literature. Although many accounts of Homer’s life and deeds are today considered legend and historically dubious, the sheer volume of tales from the period of his life point to the centrality of Homer as a public figure and as a storyteller to Greek culture. Scholars may still debate the veracity and singularity of his authorship, but the Homeric works remain undisputed as central pillars of modern literature, codifying central concepts like the hero’s journey, moral ambiguity, and the novel as cultural memory.