Homeric

Homeric refers to things related to Homer, the ancient Greek poet traditionally credited with composing the Iliad and the Odyssey. The term can denote the language, style, and epic conventions associated with these works, as well as broader features of the Homeric tradition in ancient Greek literature.

In linguistic terms, Homeric Greek is the form of the Greek language used in the Homeric epics. It represents a mixture of Ionic and Aeolic dialects, characterized by formulaic expressions, a rich stock of epithets, and the use of dactylic hexameter. The language shows archaic features and a distinctive epic vocabulary that sets it apart from later classical Greek.

Homeric is also used to describe particular rhetorical and narrative devices found in the epics. A Homeric simile is a long, elaborate comparison that extends over several lines, often linking heroic action to a familiar, everyday scene. Homeric epithets are recurring descriptive phrases, such as “rosy-fingered dawn” or “swift-footed Achilles,” that help with meter and mnemonic recall.

Furthermore, the term can refer to the broader characteristics of the epic tradition attributed to Homer, including themes of heroism, divine intervention, and fate, as well as the formal conventions of epic poetry. In scholarly contexts, "Homeric" may be used to discuss authorship questions, textual transmission, and the linguistic development from Homeric Greek to later Greek dialects.

Overall, Homeric denotes both the specific linguistic and stylistic features of the Homeric epics and the wider cultural and literary legacy associated with Homer.