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HOMER'S ENDURING LEGACY

Homer in the News

Recent articles, reviews, discoveries and cultural conversations surrounding Homer, The Iliad and The Odyssey

Homer’s epics have remained part of the cultural conversation for nearly three thousand years—continually translated, studied, performed, reimagined, and rediscovered. Here we gather recent articles, reviews, interviews, and other noteworthy pieces exploring Homer, The Iliad, The Odyssey, and their continuing influence on literature, education, scholarship, and popular culture.

Current Articles 

The Odyssey by Homer audiobook review — “a truly fantastic journey”
The Guardian, July 9, 2026
A review of the acclaimed Naxos audiobook based on Ian Johnston’s much-admired translation—the same translation published in book form by Richer Resources Publications. Narrated by Anton Lesser, the recording brings Homer’s gods, monsters, heroes, and epic journey vividly to life.

Why the ancient story of 'The Odyssey' still resonates today
PBS July 17, 2026
Why does a story that's nearly 3,000 years old continue to resonate today.


Mapping The Odyssey: The Geography Behind Homer's Epic Journey
NDTV, July 13, 2026
One of the most significant debates in unravelling the geography of The Odyssey has been to pinpoint where Ithaca really was. 

UC Santa Cruz, June 22, 2026
Ahead of the release of Christopher Nolan’s film, UC Santa Cruz classics professors explore why The Odyssey continues to captivate readers nearly three thousand years after its creation—and why each generation finds new meaning in Homer’s epic. 

Archaeology Magazine, May/June 2026
A collection of articles exploring the history, archaeology, science, places, and cultures behind Homer’s epics—from Troy and Mycenaean seafaring to Ithaca and the age in which Homer’s stories took shape.

5 Archaeological Finds That Illuminate Homer’s ‘Iliad’ and ‘Odyssey’
History.com, July 16, 2026
Modern archaeological interest in the “Iliad” and “Odyssey” has taken many forms., but attempts to locate the events of the poems date back to the ancient world.

Inside the Search for the Ancient City of Troy
History.com
Was the legendary city of Troy just a myth, or was there truth behind Homer's epic tale? Discover the full story.

Mary Beard's 'Talking Classics' examines our obsession with the ancient world
NPR, Jul 17, 2026
 Mary Beard discusses why are we obsessed with the ancient world, even the most ordinary parts of it.

‘The Odyssey’ is not a myth. It is the blueprint of a civilization
ekathimerini.com, July 15, 2026
The Odyssey breaks the pattern of stories that came before it, Read the article to find out how.

Odysseus Wasn’t Real. But He Had Real Worshipers in Ancient Ithaca
NY Times July 16, 2026
The ruins of a 2,400-year-old complex suggest that, to the Greeks of antiquity, Homer’s protagonist was not just a character in a poem but a figure of genuine devotion.

The Sound of ‘The Odyssey’
Variety,  July 16, 2026
Composer Ludwig Göransson Used Ancient Greek Instruments, Scrap Metals and Gongs

Can we map The Odyssey? How ancient geographers and modern researchers have traced Odysseus’s travels
The Conversation, July 10, 2026
For centuries, scholars and explorers have tried to connect Odysseus' legendary journey with real places. Ancient geographers and modern researchers continue to trace the possible routes behind one of literature's greatest voyages.

Everything You Need to Know about Greek Mythology | PBS
PBS, July 9, 2026
Explore the gods, heros, monsters and timeless stories that form the mythological world of Homer and continue to shape the stories we tell today.

The True Story of Troy by Sterling Documentaries
 Sterling Documentaries, Aug 26, 2015
The True Story of Troy: Ancient War tells a tale that has fascinated mankind for centuries - The tale of the Trojan War.  Immortalized in The Iliad, this documentary tells the story.

5 Epic Facts About Homer’s ‘Odyssey'
Mental Floss, July 15, 2026
Did you know the Odyssey had a sequel? The Telegony is the final story in the Epic Cycle—a collection of eight poems, including the Iliad and the Odyssey, which all involve the Trojan War and its aftermath...

The Guardian, July 7, 2026
As Christopher Nolan brings Homer’s ancient epic to the screen, early reactions consider the film’s ambitious scale, celebrated cast, and interpretation of Odysseus’s legendary journey home.
 
Reuters, July 5, 2026
Christopher Nolan discusses the challenges of adapting an ancient epic for modern audiences and his effort to create a film that speaks both to longtime readers of Homer and to viewers encountering The Odyssey for the first time. 

Bloomberg, July 3, 2026
Homer’s two great epics have captivated readers for nearly three thousand years—but in very different ways. This article considers the enduring appeal of the war-centered Iliad and the adventure-filled Odyssey and asks readers to weigh the strengths of each.

Everything You Need to Know About Homer’s The Odyssey Before Watching Christopher Nolan’s Adaptation
People, July 17, 2026
The Odyssey is viewed as one of the greatest and most influential literary works of all time. Here's a quick refresher on the story.

The Times
An exploration of Ithaca—the island traditionally associated with Odysseus—and the relationship between Homer’s legendary homeland and the place that bears its name today.

Visit the ancient city of Troy from “The Odyssey”
Stars and Stripes, July 8, 2026
Stepping into the ancient city of Troy feels like stepping into a storybook. A story full of heroes, battles, and big adventures. It is not just ancient poems or epic stories; it is standing where legends once lived.

How controlling (and tolling) a narrow waterway near ancient Troy changed history
The Conversation, July 16, 2026
Securing the shipping route  from Athens to the Dardanelles was about more than just warfare. It also allowed the Athenians fully to exploit trade.

Odysseus and the Most Loyal Dog in Greek Mythology
Greek Reporter, July 19, 2026
Of all the tales in Greek mythology, one of the most touching and relatable is that of the loyal dog Argos separated from his master Odysseus.

Merriam-Webster
From mentor to siren, Homer’s Odyssey has left its mark not only on literature but also on the English language. Merriam-Webster explores familiar words and expressions whose stories can be traced to Odysseus’s long journey home.

Want More of the ‘Odyssey’? Read These Books Next

Informative histories, modern retellings and genre-bending homages will take you back to the long road to Ithaca.
NY Times, July 17, 2026
From the Richer Resources Archives 
NPR, 2006
An interview marking the publication of Ian Johnston’s translations of The Iliad and The Odyssey by Richer Resources Publications, exploring the enduring appeal of Homer’s epics and the importance of making them accessible to contemporary readers.