While there is no definitive proof of Homer's existence, the poems are commonly believed to have been composed by a single individual during the Archaic period in Ancient Greece (8th-6th century BC).
Here's why Homer is credited with the stories:
* Ancient Tradition: Ancient Greek writers and philosophers consistently cited Homer as the author of these epic poems.
* Style and Language: The poems exhibit a consistent style and language, suggesting a single author.
* Oral Tradition: While Homer may not have been the first to tell these stories, he is believed to have been the first to write them down, preserving them for future generations.
It's important to note that there are also theories that propose Homer was a collective, a group of poets who collaborated on the poems. However, the traditional view of Homer as a single author remains the most prevalent.