The Odyssey is an epic poem set during the aftermath of the Trojan War (12th or 13th century BC), and mainly follows the ten-year journey of Odysseus as he tries to return to his home, and the struggles of his wife Penelope and son Telemachus to fend off the many suitors vying for Penelope's hand in marriage (as Odysseus is assumed to be dead). The "standard" version consists of 12,110 lines written in dactylic hexameter. For more information, check out the study guides and helps in the "Resources" tab.