Homer's Impact On Greek Culture

Why is there still an interest in Homer today? Homer’s writings contributed to establishing a common set of values among Greeks. Both the Iliad and the Odyssey helped establish the common goals of heroism and nobility that are still seen in Greek culture today. Not only did Homer’s writings create a lasting impact on people of Greece, they also were able to create a sustaining impact on the literature of Greece. His literary works are still cherished today because of the impact they are able to make on the reader's’ emotions. Homer was a significant Greek poet who created a lasting impact on Western civilization and modern day literature, with his impactful writing components seen through both the Iliad and the Odyssey.

The life of Homer began

Homer’s impact on the life and culture of the Greeks has been recognized by significant historical figures. Socrates said, “ “The poet, Socrates tells him, is ‘a light and winged holy thing’... there is no invention in him until he has been inspired and is out of his senses, and the mind is no longer in him.”. Arguably even more important than Homer’s impact on writing was Homer’s impact on the Greek culture. Homer’s literary works helped established some of the strongest elements of Greek culture, which carried into the culture of human beings all throughout the world; his poems provided a fixed model of heroism, nobility and the good life to which all Greeks, especially aristocrats, subscribed” . One example of this was when Hector took up Achilles in battle. Hector was destined to lose this battle, but he went through with it anyways, for showing his bravery for his country was very important to him. Showing character’s strive for honor not only fixed a model of heroism in Western culture, but it also ties into what makes his poems epic, for it reflects the goal of heroism that was coming alive in the time period. We also see this influence of the goal of being heroic in the Odyssey, beginning with Odysseus planning his heroic journey home. Homer was also to make a great impact on the people by changing the perspective placed upon the gods. While gods were still greatly respected in the Iliad and the Odyssey, some portrayals of them made them seem more “approachable” in a sense. The editors of PBS said, “His portrayal of the gods is also interesting since in many ways they are used for comic relief” While many may not realize this, Homer’s writing changed the way we live today in our time and culture through his influence of the goal of being heroic and noble, which have come to be characteristics we all strive for, as well as the goals of honor and