Gods,Heroes,Myths Greek Mythology Homer's epics,Expeditions

Odysseus, the son of Laertes and Anticlea, was the king of Ithaca. His wife was Penelope, with whom he had a son, Telemachus.

Odysseus is considered one of the greatest heroes of the Iliad. However, in the Odyssey, he is the central character. He participated in the Trojan War as the leader of the Cephalonians with twelve ships. In the Iliad, he is depicted as a brave and daring man, intelligent and resourceful. He joined Diomedes in a night reconnaissance of the enemy camp. In the funeral games held in honor of Patroclus, he won a foot race.

In the Odyssey, his adventures are described from the moment he set off from Troy with Menelaus, intending to return to his homeland. His journey lasted ten whole years. He faced many adventures: he fought the Cicones in Thrace, encountered the Lotus-Eaters, and the Cyclopes. With his cleverness, he managed to escape their threat. Then, he visited the island of Aeolus and received a bag containing all kinds of winds. He reached the land of the Laestrygonians, visited the island of the witch Circe, and following her instructions, descended into Hades. There he met the seer Tiresias, who revealed his future to him.

After leaving Circe's island, he faced the danger of the Sirens, where to avoid their enchantment, he tied himself to the mast of the ship. He also managed to pass safely through the strait hosting Scylla and Charybdis, the two monsters. Finally, he arrived at the island of Thrinacia, where the sacred cattle of the Sun grazed. Odysseus' companions dared to slaughter them, provoking the wrath of Zeus, who destroyed them along with his ship.

Only Odysseus managed to survive, hiding on the island of Ogygia, where the nymph Calypso resided and hosted him for seven years. Eventually, after constructing a raft, he left. However, he soon shipwrecked and found himself trapped on the island of Scheria, home of the Phaeacians. There, King Alcinous and his daughter Nausicaa protected him and helped him return to Ithaca.

When he arrived there, he discovered that in his palace were young men from noble families of the neighboring islands and Ithaca, who wanted to marry his wife, Penelope, believing that Odysseus was dead. These were known as Penelope's suitors. However, Odysseus eliminated them all using his bow.

He was assisted by his son, Telemachus, and his loyal swineherd, Eumaeus, who was the only one to recognize him when he returned to his homeland. After the suitors were slain, their fathers were enraged and demanded revenge. Finally, his immortal protector, Athena, brought peace to the island.