The book examines the formation and components of the Homeric epic, traces the origins of the epic in mythology and examines the significance of Asia Minor and other Eastern countries for the composition of the Iliad. The principles of biblical criticism, which at one time led to the division of the Pentateuch into Elohist and Yahwist texts, were applied to the study of the Homeric epic. Hittite and Egyptian sources were involved in the research. The publication is intended for classical philologists, orientalists, folklorists, historians, as well as teachers and students of philological faculties.