Homer was an ancient Greek poet and storyteller, to whom is attributed the authorship of THE ODYSSEY and THE ILIAD. Little is known for certain of Homer's life. According to Greek historian Herodotus, he lived around 850 BC, although other ancient sources put his life nearer the time of the Trojan War (c. 1250 BC). Homer may have been born in Ionia in Asia Minor, possibly at Smyrna, or on the island of Chios. He may have died on the island of Ios.