INTRODUCTION

The most notable Homeric critics of antiquity were Zenodotus of Ephesus The first director of the Library of Alexandria, known for his pioneering work in organizing and editing the Greek epics., librarian of the great library at Alexandria The largest and most significant library of the ancient world, located in Egypt and dedicated to the Muses. under Ptolemy Philadelphus Ptolemy II (reigned 285–247 B.C.), a king of Egypt and a generous patron of the arts and sciences. (who reigned 285–247 B.C. Before the Common Era; equivalent to B.C.), Aristophanes of Byzantium A student of Zenodotus and an innovative grammarian who is credited with inventing the system of Greek accents., a pupil of Zenodotus, and like him, librarian at Alexandria (about 200 B.C.), and Aristarchus of Samothrace Widely regarded as the most influential ancient critic of Homer; he painstakingly analyzed the verses to remove lines he believed were not original., pupil of Aristophanes and his successor as librarian (about 160 B.C.). Other scholars cited in the critical notes are Rhianus A poet and scholar from Crete who produced an independent edition of Homer. (about 225 B.C.), the poet, Onomacritus An Athenian priest and "collector of oracles" who helped compile the official versions of the poems for public festivals. (about 550 B.C.), and Callistratus, a follower of Aristophanes.

The aim of the translator has been to give a faithful rendering of the Odyssey original: "Odysseia" that preserves in so far as possible certain traits of the style of the original. Such a rendering should be smooth and flowing and should be given in elevated but not in stilted language. In particular the recurrent lines and phrases which are so noticeable in the original should be preserved Homer’s poetry uses "epithets" and repetitive formulas—like "wine-dark sea" or "rosy-fingered Dawn"—which helped oral poets compose and perform these long epics.. Hence even when in a given context a varying phrase would seem preferable, the translator has felt bound to use the traditional formula. This has in some instances necessitated the use of a more or less colourless phrase, adapted to various contexts. In the case of doubtful renderings, alternatives are sometimes given in a footnote.