Homer Books in Order: Complete Reading Guide
Homer's two epics in order — The Iliad and The Odyssey. Which to read first, which translation to choose, and what to read after.
Homer is the name attached to the two great epics of ancient Greek literature — The Iliad and The Odyssey — composed in the 8th century BCE. Whether Homer was one person or a tradition is debated; the poems themselves are among the founding texts of Western literature.
Homer’s Two Epics
1. The Iliad — c. 8th century BCE
The Trojan War in its tenth year — specifically, the rage of Achilles and its consequences. Not a complete account of the war (it does not cover the fall of Troy or the Trojan Horse) but an extended meditation on the cost of heroism, the relationship between men and the gods who direct them, and the specific horror of war. One of the great poems in any language.
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2. The Odyssey — c. 8th century BCE
Odysseus’s ten-year journey home from Troy — through Cyclops, Circe, Scylla and Charybdis, and the island of the dead — while his wife Penelope holds off suitors and his son Telemachus grows up. A quest narrative, a homecoming story, and one of the most influential structures in Western literature.
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Best Homer Translations: A Quick Guide
| Translation | Best For |
|---|---|
| Emily Wilson (Iliad 2023, Odyssey 2017) | Most readers — contemporary, precise, excellent |
| Robert Fagles (both, 1990–1996) | Accessible and widely available |
| Richmond Lattimore (both, 1951–1967) | Scholarly use, closest to Greek |
| Alexander Pope (18th century) | Historical interest; very different reading experience |
What to Read After Homer
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller — A retelling of the Iliad from Patroclus’s perspective; the most accessible modern engagement with the material.
Circe by Madeline Miller — The witch from The Odyssey gets her own novel; a better book than The Song of Achilles and a beautiful engagement with the original.
The Aeneid by Virgil — The Roman response to Homer: Aeneas, a Trojan who escapes Troy and founds Rome. Essential reading after the Homeric epics.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I read The Iliad before The Odyssey?
The Iliad comes first chronologically (it covers events during the Trojan War; The Odyssey covers Odysseus's journey home after the war). Most scholars recommend The Iliad first. However, The Odyssey is more accessible as a narrative — it has a clear protagonist and a quest structure. Many readers start with The Odyssey and find it easier.
What is the best translation of The Iliad?
Emily Wilson's 2023 translation is the current critical favourite — precise, contemporary, and exceptional on the violence and pathos of the poem. Robert Fagles's 1990 translation remains highly readable and is widely used in schools. Richmond Lattimore's is the most literal and best for scholarly use.
What is the best translation of The Odyssey?
Emily Wilson's 2017 translation was the first by a woman and is widely regarded as the best modern version — readable, accurate, and with a superb introduction. Fagles is the reliable second choice.
