Following the cinematic success of a certain classical epic, the Metropolitan Museum has unveiled an ancient relic. This particular fragment, dating back to around 285–250 BCE, is one of the oldest known pieces of The Odyssey. Inscribed on papyrus with charcoal and water via a stylus, it contains three lines not found in modern versions.

Sean Hemmingway, curator of Greek and Roman Art at the Met, highlights that these lines likely stem from oral recitations by bards, who might have occasionally added their own creative flourishes to the tales. In a new video, he showcases the fragment from multiple angles, allowing visitors to view its inscriptions in detail.

The relic is now displayed in Gallery 162 of the museum’s Greek and Roman Art section. Hemmingway notes that this artifact encapsulates the journey of The Odyssey itself, reminding us how stories evolve over time just like their heroes. Whether it’s Odysseus or these ancient lines, they carry the weight of centuries.

Like the Greek warrior, this object serves as a reminder that the telling of tales is not static; it adapts and transforms with each retelling. From oral traditions to papyrus fragments, The Odyssey continues its odyssey through history, much like its namesake.