# Homer — Dialogues character guide

> Homer in Dialogues by Plato.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Friend Homer, Homer of Tragedy, the divine Homer

**First appearance:** 0004-dialogues

## Who they are

Epic poet frequently quoted and discussed by Socrates.

## Relationships

### [Socrates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/characters/socrates)

_psychological_

Socrates frequently references Homer as a revered but flawed authority, using his epics to critique poetic knowledge.

### [Socrates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/characters/socrates)

_psychological_

Socrates frequently references Homer as a revered but flawed authority, using his epics to critique poetic knowledge.

### [Socrates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/characters/socrates)

_psychological_

Socrates frequently references Homer as a revered but flawed authority, using his epics to critique poetic knowledge.

## In the story

### [On the Decline of Greek Literature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/on-the-decline-of-greek-literature)

Mentioned as an example of ancient genius contrasted with later rhetoricians and sophists.

### [Phaedrus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/phaedrus)

Listed among poets and writers to whom a message about true writing is to be conveyed.

### [Ion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/ion)

Homer is the central poet discussed; Ion claims unique expertise in interpreting his works.

### [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-iii)

Quoted as a source of passages about the underworld that Socrates argues should be expunged.

### [§ II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as a poet whose works were interpreted by early philosophers.

### [Book IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/book-ix)

Mentioned as an example of a poet whose writings may lay down evil precepts, contrasted with legislators like Lycurgus and Solon.

### [Second Alcibiades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/second-alcibiades)

Quoted as the poet who spoke of Margites knowing many things badly, interpreted by Socrates as a riddle.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/chapters/endnotes)

Quoted in several endnotes, including passages from the Iliad and Odyssey.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/characters/homer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_se/characters