FAQ
Phantasia
Probably legendary, exact dates uncertain, ancient Egypt
Since the early centuries A.D., various authors have put forth the claim that Homer plagiarized the Iliad and Odyssey from an Egyptian poet named Phantasia. The story goes that Phantasia, daughter of Nicarchus, a professor of philosophy at Memphis, Egypt, wrote an account of the Trojan War and the adventures of Odysseus. Her poems were deposited in a temple at Memphis, where Homer procured a copy and followed them closely in composing his epic works. This story gained currency among nineteenth-century classicists, but has been discredited by contemporary scholars. It is unknown whether Phantasia was a real personage.
Related Place Setting
Related Heritage Floor Entries
Bel-Shalti-Narrar
Dido
Hashop
Khuwyt
Lucretia
Makeda
Mama Oclo
Mentuhetop
Naqi'a
Nefertiti
Nicaula
Nitocris
Nofret
Puduchepa
Rahonem
Semiramis
Tanaquil
Tetisheri
Tiy
Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum