Odessey

I read this book back in high school, but reading it again in my later years (under much less stress) was a little more insightful.  Following the fall of Troy, Odysseu, is on his way home.

Odysseus is the only Greek survivor of the Trojan War.  He was captured and held by the bewitching nymph.  The Poseidon, god of the sea has blinded his son Polyphemus the Cyclops.  Athena convinces her father, Zeus, to let Odysseus go. 

Reputation is a on-going theme in this book.  Odysseus is always look to as holding good morals and character by the gods.

Athena continues to stop war throughout the epic.  She succeeds for the most part.

The Odyssey is a major part of ancient history.  "The "Odyssey" is a magnificient piece of literature that we find absolutely spectacular in the fact of its potential for helping us understand pre-history of many ancient cultures, and because of the fact that it is so well written and perhaps one of the first "books" (epics) ever written down." http://library.thinkquest.org/19300/data/homer.htm

Homer is the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, and he is known as the greatest ancient Greek epic poet. His stories have had a significance influence on American Literature.  These stories date back to the 8th century BC.  The Iliad is the oldest work of Western literature.