Christopher Nolan’s take on the Odyssey is set to break box-office records. What made the director so determined to adapt the ancient Greek epic? And why does a poem from 600BC hold a vice-like grip on pop culture?

If you’ve never read the 2,800-year-old epic (or only skimmed it in high school), here’s how to get into it.

Editorial: The universal themes addressed by one of humanity’s greatest storytellers more than merit Hollywood box-office treatment