homer

[SKatideen]

What are reasons why people think Homer used poems that already existed?

[Quizmonster]

If you click http://www.gradesaver.com/ClassicNotes/Authors/about_homer.html

a link will take you to a helpful website that tries to put Homer into an historical context.

Re your specific question, it appears that Homer lived at the time when writing was just beginning to replace the telling of stories in speech. Bards had no doubt existed for generations before his time, so it would be very likely that he would borrow themes, characters and plots that they had created.

[ludwig]

Which episode of the simpsons are we talking about here?

[Philtaz]

Careful ludwig, I've had an answer banned for answering in a similar vein.

Major Sense Of Humour Failure from the AB Ed I feel!