Life of Homer (Pseudo-Herodotus) in the context of "Thestorides of Phocaea"

⭐ In the context of *Thestorides of Phocaea*, *Life of Homer* (Pseudo-Herodotus) is considered unique among ancient accounts of Homer because it suggests…

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⭐ Core Definition: Life of Homer (Pseudo-Herodotus)

The Life of Homer, whose unknown author is referred to as Pseudo-Herodotus, is one among several ancient biographies of the Greek epic poet, Homer. It is distinguished from the others by the fact that it contains, in its first lines, the claim to have been compiled by the early historian Herodotus:

Despite being written in the Ionic dialect, it is not generally, and has not been since a time before the publication of books, considered to be the work of Herodotus and therefore according to current scholarly conventions the author merits the name "Pseudo-Herodotus." Although used in this context as a proper name, it is also used as a common name, "the pseudo-Herodotus," whenever a writer questions the authorship of any or any part of the writings of Herodotus.

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👉 Life of Homer (Pseudo-Herodotus) in the context of Thestorides of Phocaea

Thestorides of Phocaea (Greek: Θεστορίδης) was a legendary or semi-legendary early Greek poet, one of those to whom the epic Little Iliad was ascribed.

Thestorides figures as a major character in the fictional Life of Homer fraudulently ascribed to Herodotus. According to this, when Homer came to Phocaea Thestorides offered him food and lodging in exchange for the right to record his poetry in writing. Homer had little choice but to accept, and recited to Thestorides the Iliad, the Odyssey and also an epic on local history and legend, Phocais. This story is unique among the ancient legends concerning Homer as it embodies the claim that writing was known in Homer's circle; all other sources state or imply that Homer's poems were transmitted orally to his followers or descendants. The Life adds that Thestorides afterwards moved to Chios, where he performed Homer's poems as if they were his own and became famous. Homer heard rumours of this and eventually travelled to Chios also; Thestorides, threatened with disgrace, left the island hastily.

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Life of Homer (Pseudo-Herodotus) in the context of Phocais

The Phocais (Ancient Greek: Φωκαΐς) was an ancient Greek epic attributed to Homer. In the Life of Homer, a biography of Homer falsely attributed to Herodotus, it was said to have been written while Homer lived at Phocaea with a man named Thestorides; however, whether Thestorides actually existed and where he lived is highly suspect. Like all Homeric works, its true author is unknown; today only a single fragment (three to four sentences of text) claiming its existence survives.

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LINKED FROM (PARENTS)
← Thestorides of Phocaea ← Phocais
LINKS TO (CHILDREN)
Homer → Herodotus → Ionic dialect → Proper name →