Oldest copy of Homer’s Odyssey in book form joins Christopher Nolan's film press tour

The Manchester Odyssey, the earliest known copy of Homer's epic poem in book form, has made a unique appearance alongside the press tour for Christopher Nolan's cinematic adaptation. This ancient codex, dating back to the third century BCE in Egypt, represents a pivotal moment in the transition from scrolls to bound books.

Copied around the time bound books gained popularity, The Manchester Odyssey uses folded parchment sheets to create pages, with the original scribe's numbering still visible. The surviving fragments include key sections from Books 12 through 15, detailing Odysseus's perilous journey and return to Ithaca, as well as Books 18 through 24, which cover his reunion with Penelope and the defeat of the suitors. Evidence suggests a second ancient reader contributed to the text, correcting mistakes and adding missing passages.

Conservation of this priceless artifact has been a long-term effort. Noticed to be deteriorating from damp in 1900, each surviving page was placed between glass for preservation. Today, The John Rylands Library, in collaboration with the University of Manchester, continues to study and preserve the fragments. Advanced techniques like high-resolution digital imaging and photometric stereo systems are employed to document the manuscript's text and condition while minimizing handling.

Following its brief stint with the film's press junket, The Manchester Odyssey has returned to its permanent display at The John Rylands Library at the University of Manchester. Nolan's film, starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, opened in theaters on July 17.