Final answer:
Homer, the ancient author, preserved traditional stories, myths, and mythically-themed stories in his epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey. These poems provided insights into ancient Greek values and offered instruction on various aspects of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ancient author who was a historian and preserved many traditional stories, myths, and mythically-themed stories is Homer. Homer's epic poems, The Iliad and The Odyssey, were written down after being recited in oral form for centuries. These poems provided a rich tapestry of information about ancient Greek values, beliefs, and practices, and celebrated the virtue of arete. They also offered instruction on various aspects of life, including war, raising children, and resolving conflicts.