The translator behind “The Odyssey” renaissance

Jul. 21, 2026, 5:26 PM EDT When University of Pennsylvania classics professor Emily Wilson’s translation of “The Odyssey” was published in 2017, it introduced countless readers to Homer’s masterpiece through vivid, contemporary language and a poetic style that felt both approachable and true to the original. Among those captivated was Academy Award-winning director Christopher Nolan, whose own adaptation of “The Odyssey” arrived in theaters this weekend. While Nolan and Wilson did not collaborate on the film, he has cited her translation as an influence on his approach to adapting the ancient poem for the screen, particularly in shaping his understanding of its legendary hero, Odysseus, played by actor Matt Damon. Matt Damon as Odysseus in “The Odyssey”. Universal Pictures via YouTube The