Homer's Influence

Homer was born around 800 B.C. He was born somewhere in Greece, not much is known about him that is exact. He died around 750 B.C. and is best known for being the writer of the Iliad and the Odyssey. His writings had great influences on literature and people in general because of very many reasons. One of them being because literature was studied and Homers writings were some that was very deeply studied. (Nardo 117)

One reason why Homers writings are so influential is because the Greeks thought of his two epics as the highest cultural achievement of the Greeks. These two epics are what we think of as for Greek world view and for Greek values. Everything that occurred in Greek history was compared to his two epics.

Another reason why Homers writings are so influential is because of the way he portrays things within his writings. There are two very important words that are used throughout his writings. Arete and Kleos. Arete is honor reached when you earn it. Kleos is honor that is given to you at birth. Dying without honor or fame is called akleos. Homers writings also portray men and women.

"As portrayed in Homers works, society was male dominated and generally characterized by a competitive spirit, the desire to be recognized as "best" (aristos) and there by to aquire honor and respect.(time')" (Nardo 26)

In conclusion Homers writing was so influential because of the way he portrays honor and people. He is also influential because he led the way for what people think of the Greeks due to his two epics. Homers influence has affected the Greeks in so many ways.


Nardo, Don. Lost Civilizations:The Ancient Greeks. San Diego Ca: Lucent Books, 2001.

Nardo, Don. Living in Ancient Greece. Farmington Hills MI: Green Haven Press, 2004

New Kingdom

The New Kingdom began with the 18th dynasty in 1550 B.C. The New Kingdom consists of the 18th through 20th dynasty. This Kingdom began with the end of 2nd Intermediate Period. The New Kingdom is commonly known for the leadership of Hatshepsut.(Romer 216)

"About 1675 BC a foreign people called the Hyksos poured into Egypt, overwhelmed the land, and took the throne without a battle. For the next two hundred years Egypt would chafe under Hyksos rulers who pillaged the land and destroyed much of the grandeur of Egypt." (Lasseur 58)

Ahmose became the first king in the New Kingdom. He starts off the 18th dynasty by defeating the Hyksos , reuniting the torn apart Egypt. The 18th dynasty had 13 kings and 1 outstanding Queen. Some of the well known kings are Ahmose 1, Thutmose 3, Amenhotep 3, Akenaten and his wife Nefertiti. This outstanding Queen was named Hatshepsut.

"Hatshepsut was an 18th-dynasty pharaoh who was one of the handful of female rulers in Ancient Egypt. Her reign was the longest of all the female pharaohs, and her funerary temple still stands as a tribute to her incredible rise to power."Source

As this quote says, Hatshepsut was an amazing Pharaoh with extraordinary talents of ruling under incredible pressure. During her reign she accomplished many things including building her own Burial Chamber and many Obelisques. Hatshepsut was the first and only successful woman pharoah.

The first King of the 19th dynasty was Ramasese I. He moved the capital from Thebes to Memphis. There was 7 other Pharoahs after Ramases I dies. Ramases restored numerous monuments and he built himself a beautiful temple. Ramases II, his son, was the most well known king of this dynasty though.

Ramases III was the last great king of the New Kingdom. He was the greatest king of the 20th dynasty as well. He built a temple for himself in a large royal area. The 20th dynasty withheld one of the greatest Pharaohs of all time.

In conclusion, the New Kingdom began after the Hyksos invasion and finished with a marvelous leader. During the New Kingdom the only successful woman Pharaoh rules. The New Kingdom was a very interesting and successful time period of Egyptian History.

Lassieur, Allison. The Ancient Egyptians. San Diego, Ca: Lucent Books, 2001.

Romer, John. People of the Nile. New York: Crown Publishers, 1982.