This concise book is a complete and contemporary introduction to Homer and his two master-works, the Iliad and the Odyssey. It explains the "Homeric Question, " illuminating its current status, and critiques the literary qualities of the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey, " analyzing and contrasting their plotting, narrative technique, and characterization. Provides historical background and literary readings of "The" "Iliad" and "The Odyssey" New to the second edition: a section on Homer's reception in ancient Greece, a chapter on Homer and archaeology, additional maps, an updated bibliography, a glossary of key terms, and information on the oral composition of the poems Text is updated throughout Assumes no prior knowledge of Greek