Why has "The Odyssey" endured for centuries as the single most popular book in Western civilization?

Answer 1

Europe likes to think of itself as descended from the Greek ideal. Greek and Latin were taught in the early schools and were the languages of scholars, so Homer, amongst others, was popular because the works existed in complete texts, rather than fragments.

The Odyssey is a collection of vignets, or a man on a voyage and has been used as the basis of much modern fiction.

It is not 'the most popular book' but it remains popular and enduring. Actually, the Iliad is a much better book for history as well as politics and philosophy, although not as easy to read for the beginner.

Answer 2

I believe that the story is something that we can all relate to even in such modern and different times. It is based on the basic acheotypal hero's life and takes people through a series of lessons on revenge, war, mercy and much more. As time goes by people start craving older things. Also the prospect of imagining how people lived without modern convieniences and more adds to the package.

Answer 3

I didn't know that it had. I know very few people who have actually read it although we are all very familiar with the story line.