Why does Homer start The Odyssey in medias res?

The principle of in medias res is based on the practice of Homer in the Iliad and the Odyssey. ... In his Ars poetica, the Latin poet and critic Horace pointed out the immediate interest created by this opening in contrast to beginning the story ab ovo (“from the egg”)—i.e. read more

Homer started his epic as all epics. usually all eipcs start with medias res. Also, we can argue that it is a story that is related to the iliad, so the listeners at that time knew the story of Trojan war, and needed it to have completion. read more

We should also note that, with respect to "in medias res," Homer's Iliad never deals with the death of Achilles or the fall of Troy. These events were treated in other poems within the epic cycle. read more

The narrator of the Odyssey invokes the Muse, asking for inspiration as he prepares to tell the story of Odysseus. The story begins ten years after the end of the Trojan War, the subject of the Iliad. All of the Greek heroes except Odysseus have returned home. read more