A Comparison between the Poetry of Homer and Ovid

Homer and Ovid are two of the oldest, most influential poets that have ever lived. Although they are both poets, they have several differences in their writings. Homer, a Greek poet, is most famous for his epic poems Iliad and Odyssey. Ovid, a Roman poet, is most famous for Metamorphoses a 15 book poem containing over 250 myths. To compare and contrast these two poets and their writing styles, I will use Achilles’ battle with Hector in Homer’s Iliad book 22 and compare it with Achilles’ battle with Cycnus in Ovid’s Metamorphoses book 12. The comparison of these battles will give us a better understanding of these poets different views on the Trojan War. This battle also takes place outside the city of Troy, at the beginning of the Trojan War, nine years previous to Achilles’ battle with Hector. Rumour, the god rumor, told the Trojans that a fleet with a Greek army on board was approaching. The Greek fleet was approaching because Paris, son of King Priam of Troy, had gone to bring back Helen, the wife of King Menelaus of Sparta. After the fight began and blood had been shed everywhere, Cycnus and Achilles had gone on killing massive amounts of enemy soldiers. As best warriors of each respective army, they went to battle themselves. After Achilles hits him with a spear that merely bounces off of his chest, Cycnus tells Achilles that he is the son of Neptune and that he therefore has impenetrable skin. They each continued to throw spears with Cycnus continuing to deflect throws off of his body while all he could do is hit Achilles’ shield. Achilles’ temporarily gives up, and questions whether it may be an issue with his weapon or throwing arm. He soon discovers it is neither after impaling Menoétes with his spear. Achilles aims once more at Cycnus, again hitting him without leaving as little as a scratch. At this point Achilles’ comes to an understanding that he will not be able to pierce his skin to kill him, and therefore must chase him down,