Page 87 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

THE LEGEND OF ODYSSEUS’S
RETURN TO ITHÁKI
Homer’s famous epic, the Odyssey, tells the story of
Odyssesus, the mythical king of Itháki, who left his
home to fight in the Trojan war and didn’t return for
20 years, beset by all manner of detours.
Odysseus had been unwilling to leave Penelope, his
wife, and their infant son Telemachos and join
Agamemnon’s expedition against Troy. But, forced to
join the battle, his skills as warrior and speaker – and THE LOYAL WIFE
even more usefully, his exceptional cunning – meant
he played a vital role in Greek victory. Upon attempting Penelope started
to return home, his journey was fraught with such weaving a shroud for
perils as battling the monstrous one-eyed Cyclops. He Odysseus’s father, and
blinded the creature, which angered the god Poseidon refused to marry one of
so much he ensured Odysseus lost all his companions, her many suitors until it
before the kindly Phaeacians brought him home, ten was finished. However,
years after he left Troy. On Itháki, Odysseus found each night she secretly
Penelope besieged by suitors. Disguising himself as unpicked the day’s
a beggar, he killed them all with his famous bow and weaving to gain time.
returned to his marriage bed and to power.

A vase in
the Classical
Grecian style
Wood engraving depicting the
moment Odysseus revealed himself An ancient vase, depicting
and killed the unwanted suitors Odysseus on his long journey

Odysseus meeting Circe,
one of the obstacles on
his way home

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