Ancient Fragment of Homer's 'Odyssey' Discovered in University Library

<p>An ancient fragment of Homer's 'Odyssey' was found in a university library in the Netherlands, as reported by Utrecht University this month. The fragment was discovered by Mark de Kreij, an assistant professor of Ancient Greek and Papyrology at Radboud University, while studying Greek manuscripts in the university's Special Collections.</p><p>The fragment had originally been stored with Coptic Christian manuscripts, which may have led to its initial misidentification. It was later moved to a box containing Greek manuscripts, where de Kreij recognized it as a significant piece of literature.</p><p>Initially considered an unremarkable 7th-century fragment, the piece features small, neat letters and includes verses from Book 12 of the 'Odyssey,' depicting the moment when the sun god Helios discovers that Odysseus' crew has killed his sacred cattle. Researchers believe the manuscript originated from a reader in Egypt's Fayum oasis around 300 A.D. and has been dated to the 3rd or 4th century A.D.</p><p>Utrecht University stated that only about 30 similar fragments exist worldwide. The fragment is described as part of a 'pocket edition' of the complete epic, although some experts, including Anna Dolganov, a Roman historian and papyrologist, question this interpretation. Dolganov suggests that the fragment may represent an anthology or a private collection of excerpts rather than a complete copy of the 'Odyssey.'</p><p>De Kreij argues that the text on both sides of the parchment supports the idea that it is part of a complete work. He noted that both sides contain nearly contiguous passages from Book 12. The discovery highlights Homer's popularity in the ancient world, where his works were commonly used in education.</p><p>Dolganov emphasized the challenges of dating ancient manuscripts, noting that while the dating of this fragment is based on various features, it should not be overstated. De Kreij explained that the dating relies on the codex format, parchment material, ink appearance, and handwriting style, which have parallels from the late third and fourth centuries.</p><p>Dolganov concluded by reflecting on the human connection offered by the discovery, noting that the fragment represents a tangible link to ancient readers who engaged with the text.</p>