Homer is the legendary ancient Greek poet traditionally said to be the author of two of the greatest epic poems of ancient Greece, the Iliad and the Odyssey. Not much is known about Homer's life, and scholars debate whether he was a historical figure or simply a name attached to the poems. The Iliad tells the story of the Trojan War, while the Odyssey follows the adventures of Odysseus on his journey home from the war. Homer's works have had a profound influence on Western literature and are considered foundational texts in the Western literary tradition.