The Odyssey: Rendered Into English Prose for the Use of Those Who Cannot Read the Original

Samuel Butler's prose translation of Homer's *The Odyssey*, a foundational epic poem from the 8th or 7th century BC, provides modern readers with an accessible entry point into the ancient Greek masterpiece. Butler's rendition, published around the turn of the twentieth century, deliberately uses prose to emphasize the narrative clarity and vigor of the original tale, focusing on Odysseus's perilous ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. This classic registers significant popularity, with 147,299 downloads on Project Gutenberg in the last 30 days and 46,626 downloads in the last 7 days as of early August 2026. Another Project Gutenberg entry for a translation of *The Odyssey* (without specifying Butler as the translator) records 5,768 downloads yesterday. The enduring appeal of Odysseus's adventures, filled with monsters, divine interventions, and tests of loyalty, continues to resonate with generations of readers.