For thousands of year, readers—and, before them, listeners—have thrilled to the tale of one of the greatest journeys in all of literature.

This course offers a meticulous, insightful examination of the most important episodes in the Odyssey and explains the cultural assumptions that lie behind Homer’s lines.

Through these lectures, you will discover the story of how Odysseus, "the man of many twists and turns," returns home from the Trojan War by the most winding and adventurous route imaginable, battling gods and monsters and even visiting Hades in his quest to get back to Ithaca and set his lands and life in order.