The Pheacian Polis in Homer’s Odyssey: Historical Reality or Poetic Fantasy?

Purpose of the study. The article examines an important classical study problem — the chronological and historical context of poetic pictures and images in Homer's Odyssey. The purpose of the article is to identify the historical realities of the Homer's story about the ideal society and state of the Phaeacians, who showed hospitality to Odysseus and returned him to his native Ithaca. The author analyzes the evidence of ancient authors about the time and place of Homer's life, comparisons that reflect Homer's personal Ionian impressions, compares the description of Scheria, the state of the Phaeacians, with the data of the archaeological research of the Ionian settlement Smyrna and Assyrian palaces, finding in this evidence of the poet's belonging to the world of Ionian emerging policies connected by political and trade relations with the Near Eastern states. Conclusions. Based on the research conducted, the author comes to the conclusion that the location of Scheria, its land order, fortifications and the palace complex of king Alcinous represent a poetic fusion that reflects the real Greek world of Homeric Ionia, as well as the stories of Greek traders and travelers about the mind-blowing palaces and gardens of the Assyrian kings.