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The Odyssey of Homer
The Odyssey of Homer

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Odyssey of Homer is here in full — 263 sentences across 53 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By 751? BCE-651? BCE Homer • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Odyssey of Homer
Context Illustration Reading 13/52 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.
We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.
In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.
The translation of the passage (B. v.
246-261) is accordingly altered.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Odyssey of Homer

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Odyssey of Homer is here in full — 263 sentences across 53 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 13/52 · 5 reading units · Lines 61–65

Line 1
PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.
/ˈprefəs tuː ðə θɜːrd əˈdɪʃən/
Line 2
We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.
Line 3
In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.
/ɪn pərˈtɪkjələr hiː hæz kənˈvɪnst ʌs ðæt ðə ræft ʌv oʊˈdɪsiəs ɪn biː viː ɪz ə ræft ˈstrɪktli soʊ kɔːld ənd ðæt ɪt ɪz nɑːt ˈʌndər ðə ˈpoʊəts dɪˈskrɪpʃən ɪˈlæbəreɪtəd ˈɪntuː ə ʃɪp æz hæz bɪn ˈkɑːmənli səˈpoʊzd/
Line 4
The translation of the passage (B. v.
/ðə trænzˈleɪʃən ʌv ðə ˈpæsədʒ biː viː/
Line 5
246-261) is accordingly altered.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

corrections noun US /kərˈekʃənz/

the department of local government that is responsible for managing the treatment of convicted offenders

From this reading “We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
elaborated adjective US /ɪˈlæbəreɪtəd/

developed or executed with care and in minute detail

From this reading “In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nautical adjective US /ˈnɔːtəkəl/

relating to or involving ships or shipping or navigation or seamen

From this reading “We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Odysseus noun US /oʊˈdɪsiəs/

(Greek mythology) a famous mythical Greek hero; his return to Ithaca after the siege of Troy was described in the Odyssey

From this reading “In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
poet's noun US /ˈpoʊəts/

possessive form of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
preface noun US /ˈprefəs/

a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

From this reading “PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
raft noun US /ræft/

a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers

From this reading “In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
translation noun US /trænzˈleɪʃən/

a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language

From this reading “The translation of the passage (B. v.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

All words in this reading · 56

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

246

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 246-261) is accordingly altered.

Pending verification
261

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 246-261) is accordingly altered.

Pending verification
adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
accordinglyadverbUS /əˈkɔːrdɪŋli/

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading 246-261) is accordingly altered.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
alteredadjectiveUS /ˈɔːltərd/

changed in form or character without becoming something else

From this reading 246-261) is accordingly altered.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
BnounUS /biː/

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
calledverbUS /kɔːld/

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CollegenounUS /ˈkɑːlɪdʒ/

the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
commonlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːmənli/

under normal conditions

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
convincedadjectiveUS /kənˈvɪnst/

persuaded of; very sure

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
correctionsnounUS /kərˈekʃənz/

the department of local government that is responsible for managing the treatment of convicted offenders

From this reading We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
descriptionnounUS /dɪˈskrɪpʃən/

a statement that represents something in words

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EnounUS /iː/

a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body

From this reading We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EDITIONnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/

the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published

From this reading PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
elaboratedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæbəreɪtəd/

developed or executed with care and in minute detail

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Eton

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.

Pending verification
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
InprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
nauticaladjectiveUS /ˈnɔːtəkəl/

relating to or involving ships or shipping or navigation or seamen

From this reading We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OdysseusnounUS /oʊˈdɪsiəs/

(Greek mythology) a famous mythical Greek hero; his return to Ithaca after the siege of Troy was described in the Odyssey

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
oweverbUS /oʊ/

be obliged to pay or repay

From this reading We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
particularadjectiveUS /pərˈtɪkjələr/

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
passagenounUS /ˈpæsədʒ/

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading The translation of the passage (B. v.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
poet'snounUS /ˈpoʊəts/

possessive form of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pointsnounUS /pɔɪnts/

plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PREFACEnounUS /ˈprefəs/

a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

From this reading PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
raftnounUS /ræft/

a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
RevverbUS /rev/

increase the number of rotations per minute

From this reading We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shipverbUS /ʃɪp/

transport commercially

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
strictlyadverbUS /ˈstrɪktli/

restricted to something

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
supposedadjectiveUS /səˈpoʊzd/

required or under orders

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thanksnounUS /θæŋks/

an acknowledgment of appreciation

From this reading We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
THIRDnounUS /θɜːrd/

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
TOparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
translationnounUS /trænzˈleɪʃən/

a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language

From this reading The translation of the passage (B. v.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
vnounUS /viː/

a unit of potential equal to the potential difference between two points on a conductor carrying a current of 1 ampere when the power dissipated between the two points is 1 watt

From this reading In particular, he has convinced us that the raft of Odysseus in B. v. is a raft strictly so called, and that it is not, under the poet’s description, elaborated into a ship, as has been commonly supposed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Warre

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.

Pending verification
WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We owe our thanks to the Rev. E. Warre, of Eton College, for certain corrections on nautical points.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 1 of The Odyssey of Homer by 751? BCE-651? BCE Homer holds 263 sentences, grouped into 53 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of The Odyssey of Homer contain?

Chapter 1 holds 263 sentences of The Odyssey of Homer, unabridged, divided into 53 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Odyssey of Homer by 751? BCE-651? BCE Homer exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 263 sentences, grouped into 53 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of The Odyssey of Homer?

Work through the 53 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 53 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Odyssey of Homer

Common questions about reading The Odyssey of Homer by 751? BCE-651? BCE Homer on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Odyssey of Homer?

Yes. All 5081 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1728 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Odyssey of Homer is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1728, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Odyssey of Homer take to read?

About 423 minutes of reading across 1017 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Odyssey of Homer section by section

How to work through The Odyssey of Homer section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 25 chapters of The Odyssey of Homer to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Odyssey of Homer

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Odyssey of Homer, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Weary
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Odyssey of Homer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Space
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Odyssey of Homer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Lulled
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Odyssey of Homer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Circe
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Odyssey of Homer; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.