Very little is known about Homer, save for the fact that he was blind and is believed to have been born in what is now western Turkey. His name is Greek for "hostage," which may mean he was descended from prisoners of war. He is best known for his epic poems "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey," which may have been told on the spur of the moment from fragments of pre-existing stories. He is believed to have had many students and disciples who, while very few are known by name, became poets in their own rights after his death.

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Available books:

• The Iliad (translated by Samuel Butler)
• The Odyssey (Translated by Samuel Butler)