A 1,700-year-old fragment of Homer’s Odyssey was discovered tucked between the pages of a Dutch library book, researchers announced this week. The 2.6 by 3-inch parchment, found by a Greek literature expert at Utrecht University Library, contains verses from Book 12 of the epic poem, marking a pivotal moment in Odysseus’s journey.
The fragment, dated to around 300 AD, was identified by Dr. Mark de Kreij, a professor at Radboud University in the Netherlands. While examining a collection of early Christian manuscripts at Utrecht University Library, de Kreij noticed a small, discolored piece of parchment with tiny, neat letters. Upon closer inspection, he recognized phrases characteristic of Homer’s works.
Key Details of the Discovery
The fragment, measuring just 6.6 by 7.7 centimeters, includes text from The Odyssey’s Book 12, where Odysseus recounts the moment his crew ate the immortal cattle of the sun god Helios—despite his warnings. The act enrages Helios, who demands retribution from the gods, leading Zeus to send a storm that destroys Odysseus’s ship and crew. Experts describe this as a ‘tipping point’ in the narrative.
Researchers believe the parchment was part of a pocket-sized edition of the complete Odyssey, roughly the size of a modern e-reader. The fragment was likely owned by a Homer enthusiast living in Egypt’s Faiyum oasis during the 3rd or 4th century AD. Only about 30 similar fragments of the Odyssey have been found worldwide, making this discovery particularly rare.
How the Fragment Was Found
De Kreij made the find while participating in a project to study and publish ancient manuscripts held by Utrecht University. The collection, purchased by the university in the mid-20th century, primarily consists of early Christian texts written in Coptic, though it also includes Egyptian and Greek papyri. Initially, the fragment was mistaken for an unremarkable 7th-century text before de Kreij’s expertise identified it as part of Homer’s work.
The parchment, now discolored and stained from moisture, bears writing on both sides. Utrecht University confirmed its authenticity and dating through paleographic analysis, placing it in the late Roman or early Byzantine period.
Significance of the Find
Experts note that such fragments provide valuable insights into how Homer’s works were circulated, preserved, and read in antiquity. Pocket editions, like the one this fragment likely came from, suggest that the Odyssey was not only a literary masterpiece but also a popular text among educated readers of the time.
The discovery adds to a small but growing body of evidence about the transmission and survival of classical texts through the centuries. While most surviving copies of Homer’s works date to later periods, this fragment offers a direct link to the late antique world, where the poem remained a cornerstone of Greek education and culture.
Researchers plan to continue studying the fragment to uncover additional details about its origins and the circumstances of its preservation within the library book.