THE CLASSIC POETS. Homer's Iliad. `HE biography of the 'father of poetry' is involved ΤΗ in great obscurity and fable-so much so, that his very existence has been questioned, and assertions made that both the 'Iliad' and 'Odyssey' are but collections of traditionary ballads, strung together by some ingenious poet. In relation to this latter assertion, some critics are of opinion that to understand the poetry of Homer aright it must be looked upon as a 'grand combination of popular ballad materials and ballad tone elevated to the highest pitch of which it is capable, with the architectural form and structure of the epos.' No less than seven cities have contended for the honour of being the birthplace of Homer; and of all the accounts which have been given of the poet, that related by Herodotus is the only one on which any reliance can A be placed, and even his is considered of doubtful authenticity by some authorities. According to that historian and biographer, Homer, or, to give him his proper name, Melesigenes, was born about 900 B.C., at a place near Smyrna, on the banks of the river Meles. While yet a youth he was adopted by a schoolmaster named Phemius, after whose death the poet conducted the school in such a manner that it became a place of resort for both foreigners and natives. Melesigenes was afterwards induced to accompany a ship-captain on several voyages, but was left by him for a time at Ithaca on account of an affliction of the eyes; and at this place the youthful poet learned from one Mentor many of those traditions regarding Ulysses which he afterwards embodied in the 'Odyssey.' He then removed to Colophon, where his sight failed him altogether; and he now began to wander about the country, reciting his poems in requital for the hospitality he received. Homer next found his way to Cuma, where he abode with one Tychius, a leather-dresser, and in this place he was held in great respect by the inhabitants, but on asking if they would allow him a small pension in return for a poem in praise of their city, they refused on the ground that there would be no end to maintaining Homeri, or blind men, if they agreed to this request. On this, Homer removed to Phocæa, where he resided for some time in the house of Thestorides, a schoolmaster, who offered to maintain the poet for the liberty of transcribing his verses. Thestorides afterwards went to Chios, and there gained great renown and wealth by reciting the verses of Homer as his own; but the poet got information of this and went himself to Chios, when Thestorides immediately left that city. Homer opened a school of poetry at Chios, which proved very successful, and here he married and had two daughters born to him. Having a desire to visit Athens, he embarked in a vessel to sail thither, but the voyage was unfortunate, and the vessel was driven ashore at Samos, where the poet remained during the winter in great poverty. Winter over, he again set sail for Athens, but landing by the way at Ios, he there fell sick and died. Homer was held in such reverence and veneration after his death that not only were statues erected to his memory, but even sacrifices and worship were accorded to him. Every fifth year a festival was held, and medals were struck in honour of the poet at Chios; while in Egypt, in like manner, Ptolemy Philopater consecrated |