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Background

Ancient sarcophagus unearthed in Cyprus
This news article reports the discovery of illustrations from Homer's epics in a 2,500-year-old sarcophagus.

A Story of Epic Proportions: What makes a Poem an Epic?
Students learn about the epic poem form and to its roots in oral tradition. They study the epic hero cycle and will learn how to recognize this pattern of events and elements in both ancient and modern texts, including Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter.

Homer, Iliad
Illustrations and study questions with emphasis on the role of women.

Homer's Iliad
Discussion of the traits of the epic, reading tips for students, the heroic code, the role of the gods, reading comprehension and interpretation questions, question for character analysis, analysis of irony, simile and metaphor, foreshadowing, imagery, and the role of tragedy.

Homer's Iliad and the city of Troy
Archaeological history of Troy, exposition of the epic, "Who's Who" in the Iliad, and links to artworks depicting scenes from the epic.

The Iliad Game
This interactive review of the epic provides hints for incorrect answers.

The Iliad--A Practical Approach
Background information, basic summaries of the books, study questions, classroom activities, lesson plans and bibliography.

The Iliad: Suggested Essay Topics
These essay questions relate to specific books.

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The Adventures of Ulysses by Charles Lamb
A searchable online text.

The Aftermath: Post Iliad through the Odyssey
This timeline includes specific text references and links to pieces of art illustrating the scenes.

Freshman Files
The 4 links at the top of this page relate to study of the Odyssey, including a comparison/contrast with the movie O Brother, Where art Thou?.

From Homer's The Odyssey
Students use Web resources to create a fictional personal odyssey. They write a journal and create a map detailing it.

Greek Mythology: Odysseus
Two summaries of the epic, "short version" and "detailed version," both very readable.

Lesson Plans -- The Odyssey
This site has complete, standards-based lesson plans, including downloadable worksheets, writing activities, adaptations, discussion questions, evaluation tools, vocabulary words, and suggestions for related study.

Odysseus needs a job!
In this post-reading activity, students are asked to consider the job skills Odysseus has demonstrated in different episodes of the epic. They look at a variety of possible occupations, select one, and construct a résumé and cover letter.

The Odyssey
In this CyberGuide students research Homer's life and times, compiling the results into a class newspaper. They make a poster and give a speech about a god/goddess, view the film Star Wars and analyze the aspects of a myth as portrayed in the film. Finally, they write an original myth.

The Odyssey
This book-by-book study guide includes the following for each book: an overview, pre-reading guide, comprehension questions, and key quotations.

The Odyssey
This 15-page document addresses 84 vocabulary words drawn from the epic. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or compatible application for access.

The Odyssey
An extensive list of post-reading activities.

The Odyssey: A Deeper Appreciation
These materials ask students read the epic and appreciate "the spirit of the age" that produced it. The unit includes vocabulary, geography, crosscurricular researched reports, and a bibliography for teachers.

The Odyssey: Suggested Essay Topics
These essay questions relate to specific books in the epic.

Odyssey Lesson Plan posted at KCTE.org
This unit focuses on a wide variety of writing exercises. It includes day-by-day activities and assessment suggestions.

The Odyssey Game
An interactive approach to the great epic. Students chose a character and work their way through Odysseus' adventures.

The Odyssey, a project
Students prepare an intinerary for their own odyssey.

Study Questions on Homer
This page includes some "overview" questions on the epic as a whole followed by a series of questions related to each book.

Teaching Guide, The Odyssey
Overview and prereading suggetsions, vocabulary, journal topics, reading questions, essay questions and extended learning activities. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or equivalent application for access.

A View of The Odyssey
This unit plan focuses on the characterization of Telemachus, Odysseus, Penelope, and Nausicaa. Students consider Telemachus and Nausicaa as initiates and consider their own identities and choices as they enter adulthood.

The Wanderings of Odyssesus
Students explore the impact of Greece and the Odyssey on the English language.

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