This collection includes both of the greatest Greek stories ever told and numbers amongst the most important works of Western literature. "The Illiad" is Homer's legendary account of the Trojan War, an epic battle that took place over three thousand years ago and had a significant impact on world history. "The Odyssey" follows the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca and his voyage back home following the cessation of the Trojan War. Translated into English prose by Samuel Butler and including several essays and writings on both Homer and the Epics, this book is a must have for any lovers of history and literature and would make a perfect addition to any book shelf. Homer was the author of the two epic poems upon which the works of ancient Greek literature are predicated, the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey". Though Homer is regarded as being among the greatest and most influential writers of all time, the question of when, where and by whom the "Illiad" and "Odyssey" were written remains unanswered--although most scholars agree that they were both written around the late eighth or early seventh century BC. For thousands of years the influence of the Homeric epic has had on Western civilization has been significant, having inspired a large number of its most famous works of art, literature, and film.