Great Adventurer ALBION-MEEK xvir CONTENTS ‘Marsiage of Helen and Menelaus (Odysseus and Penelope Discord Among the Gods ‘The Fatal Decision of Paris Discord in Ithaca ‘Odysseus Dishonours His Vow ‘Disaster Pursues the Greeks Inezeasing Fury and Confusion Achilles Rejoins the Greeks Death of Achilles and Paris ‘The Strategy of Odysseus ‘The Fall of Troy Odysseus and His Victorious Army ‘Embark for Greece (Odysseas Lands on the Island of Circe Odysseas Meets and Conquers Circe Odysseus Sail to the Realm of the Dead (Odysseus Passes Between Scylla and Chaybdis ‘The Retellious Crew Force Odysseus ‘to Land on TsinacriaXXL xxv ‘connie Odysseus is Cast Upon the Island of Calypso Nausicaa, Phaeacian Princess, Welcomes Odysseus to Corfu ‘The Phaeaciane Honour Odysseus ‘The Wanderer Awakes in Ithaca Odysseus, Disguived as a Beggar, Entets His Palace ‘Ouysseus Slas the Suitors Peace and Order Restored to Ithaca Proper Names and How to Pronounce Them General Notes Notes ‘Questions and Exercises Books on Classical Mythology for Further Reference Pace 96 103 108 a4 139 136 a4 43 a4 350 154 (Ouapren 1 MARRIAGE OF HELEN AND MENELAUS Sworr nowonts nao mex gsxr rimovoHOUT oREEER inviting the Chietais ofthe Iles to the wedding of Helen an Menelas. “Wenting caps of silver aur sounted with wings of gol, and catyng each rod entwined with bronze serpents, these youthful membres ‘of the cout of Sparta had been welcomed with jy. Leta, Helen's mother, ad attized her messengers ike Hermes, Ze’ own son and special mesenger Tt vas a sie reminder to the Grein rales of Helen’ sem divine lineage. For Helen's father yas Zeos himself father of all the immortal gods. The fame of Helen's beauty had spread thoughout the word. Every young Xing ofthe Isles of Greece had striven for her favout ‘The palace of Leda and Tyndereus had become the centre where thse royal youths gathered. ‘The olive groves of Sparta echoed with lnugter and song, ‘The fontets of wrestling, runing, and. dscu thtowiag became famous even in faraway Egypt. Sculptors and poets brought tee at nt the cour. When Odysseus, the newly lected King of Ithaca, had joined the thong of Hele suitors, many belived he wou become her husband and eosuer of her King dom, Thoogh easily the winner inal fe contests, he had‘conti to arouse ip resentment inthe defeated athletes He had become the accepted leader amongst tle chiefains, and Helen fsvoured him so openly that ‘Odyssebs lull did sot doubt he would win het, unite the Kingdoms of Ithaca and Sparta, apd thea the whole of Gree, under his own rule. Moved by this seeret ambition, Odysseus had timed his arial at the court of Sparta to follow closely upon his election as King of IMhaes. He was the youngest of all te sites, but his skill manoeavies for power and popularity had not ‘scoped Led’ watchfal eyes. She leaned that he hed proposed to the other chieftains a pact binding each to protect Helen, with arms if need be, no matter which mong them should become her consort. They had recy apred, Bncoureged by Helen's smile, he now sought, by smaking i publi, to confiem the poet. At the end ofthe contests, Odysseus knelt before Helen to recive the ‘sown of laurel for hi victories. Suddenly springing ‘oa his knees he called pen te chieftains to wean their pledge. Watching from her throne, Leda saw her aughters Bushed cheeks, her admiring eyes fixed on the handsome face of Odysseus. She recognized a situation which she must end at once. For Helen to ‘many this young King of Ithaca would endangesSpara's ‘domineut position among the kingdoms of Hells. She new the popularity of Odysseus, end the persuasiveness of his wily tongue. Moreover, he was fearess and 2 raster of strtegy. © ccc wisn vw mommies ‘Waiting until the young chieftains had repeated the cath of their Teader, Lede rose from her throne. “We fof Sparta thank you for yout expression of loyalty to fu princes. But you, Odysseus, of Ithaca, forget that ‘the Queen of Sparta is preent. As the younger ruler ‘ofa leer nation greater courtesy tothe throne of Sparta ‘would have beon more seemly.” ‘Amazed, but not confused, Odysseus bowed to Leda “1 erve pardon for my breach of good manners, Your Majesty. In Ithaca we are pethaps Tess formal than you in Sparta” ‘This trast brought smiles to the rival kings present A bush fll as Leda, with a sega gestre, sum ‘moned Menelaus, a prince of Spare. With him she ‘withdrew from the audience room. “That night Helen was summoned to her mother's private apartment. As she entered she saw that the ‘crown and sceptze of Sparta had been placed on the table beside her mother’s char. A jewelled lamp lighted the crown and the blazing diamond sceptre. Leda waited until Helen was seated at her feet “hy daughter, the time has come for you to make 4 great decision” That decision must be entitely your cova, As you know, you aro the daughter of Zeus. ‘Tis crown and cceptre were wrought by Hephaertut by com. rand of the ruler of gods and men, and presented to 1¢ when I was crowned. Ihave wielded them Uhrough the years of my tejgn. They will be yours when you Decome queen. It is my wish that this may be when you are marred; but only if you choose wisely.” Leda‘ caeAr aDvieerosaR satin silence, her eyes searching Hel’ face, “Thiak ‘arcfully 00 this ere you bestow your favour upon any of those gathered here. Ze, your father, has Jesed {hat you be fie to chow your Husbands bat con and scepte shall not be yout should your choice. place Sparta in jeopardy. “IT should choose Odyseus of Ithaca” Velen was not permitted to Bins Leda roe took the cow and septe fom the tbl, and sid with tern Gna “n that event, my avghte, Tall remain Queen of Sputa. You wll be fe to become Queen of Ithaca, a sal, emote, butbare nation. Go now to yout roo, and say the wisdom of Zeus be with you oyu sleep” “The next dy ll the court noted tat Helen and her iad set quietly on the tere Beside the Lotus Pool where Leis swans sam, The princess was gave, and her long lass veiled hee eyes when Mencus inet before her ant hed her hand. Odyesas wa absent Nuntng wid bout wat, Within nonth Hen anounced that the had. choven Menclaus as haben ‘Wien the fll moon shone over Greece the manage feast was ready. Riles of neighbousing stats came with th gifts—jewels,tapesis, and rae wine for drinking and for ition othe gods. The young cians whe ad sven forthe hand of Helen wih thee dante leader, Odysseus, at Shir ead, stood with Gaming torches lifted high. Their voices rang out, repeating their ‘lege of loyally to Helen snd Menclans who was thee MARAE OP HELEN AND MOENELAUS 5 ate sie shy hte hi peg, Tyne eld the con hen ton Hele ed The et Ste appli ended by don, glemed sist th pln hfe ie ‘ft murat he sof dpe ang ot ead ig aaron “ee x vey gs ave ‘Wi fe wel ed er ste ati Tie of Ces Mend ee As the cies of “Hal Ha Hal” rose fom cry thot, Odes toed ee om Hee, He oaked Tong t Penelope, Hr atk aay ied is heats of Ter be Bnoght st be paced i ang torch before Flen soMevls od aed tp Hats fo the gel Ere te, hes oe at Pls ‘thee it pute ao pote, Bad ted sep see aii Hr queay Wag led in wth Sener aod ait, He eine tht she had one i wife and Geen o Wce Cuarrex Il ODYSSEUS AND PENELOPE ‘As TUE MARRIAGE FEAST OF HELEN AND MENELAUS WAS drawing to an end, the Chieftains of Greece gathered round Odysseus urging him to become the High King of the Isles. They were agreed that an alliance of all the separate kingdoms, headed by a leader of ability and courage, would give protection against attack from Persia and other covetous nations surrounding Hellas “You are under the protection of Pallas Athene whom we all worship. Your prowess is known. Your devotion to Helen can never be questioned. If danger should threaten her, itis to you we shall turn for leadershi aysseus evaded their plea. “Helen herself chose your Jeader when she chose Menelaus for her husband and the cozuler of Sparta, Hail to Menelaus, High King and Leader of the hosts of Greece.” He had no intention of securing Sparta’s dominance. ‘The kings accepted his decision and shouted their approval. While they were pouring libations to the gods, Odysseus stole away through the olive grove to seek Penelope. He found her kneeling before the shrine of Athene. It was the custom to erect a shrine to the goddess in every olive grove. It was she who had created the olive which had been judged most useful of all the gods’ gifts to men. As 6 @ corns sto reesira : reward, the goddess had been given the greatest city in Greece for her own. Tt had been named Athens in her honour. ‘When Odysseus saw the lovely face of Penelope up- lifted in the moonlight, his heatt stirred with deep love for her. Kneeling beside her, he took her hand. “Pe- nelope, I have come to ask you to return to Ithaca with me as my wife and Queen of Ithaca.” She bowed her dark head, Silence lay between them. At last Penelope spoke, her voice troubled by doubt. “Your heart and allegiance are given to Helen. What have you for me?” “Penelope, all my love and faith are yours, yours only. Helen is beautiful, and every Greck loves beauty. Tt is true, too, that I sought an alliance between Ithaca and Sparta, but Athene, goddess of wisdom, has linked your heart and mine for all time, Come with me, Pe- nelope. It is the will of the gods.” “Odysseus, swear to me by this sacred shrine that no love of Helen Ties hidden in your heart.” “Penelope, I sweat by all the gods that Aphrodite her- self can never overshadow my love for you.” With his arms about her she said, “My heart has been yours through all the days since you frst came to Sparta. Yes, T will follow to Tthaca, for you are my lord and my king forever.” When Icarius, Penclope’s father, heard of their Ddetrothal, he tried to dissuade his daughter. “Ithaca is, rough and wild, It is far away from your home. More- ‘over, you heard Odysseus swear to protect Helen with8 ‘ume cnexr aDvENrURER ‘his life. ‘That oath swor before the cour, with invoca- tions to the gods, must ever be Kept. Do not comfort your heart with iusions:” tr father’s pleas were in vain, Penelope dropped her veil over her face and followed her choven husband to his kingdom, Laetes, father of Odysteus, weloomed the young queen as his ovn child. A great affection grew between the old king and the young gil. Laertes placed ‘the wealth of the kingdom in the ands of his son, and encouraged him to build a splendid palace for his court ‘Two great audience chambers were built: an outer one where the servitors of the king and guests of small renown could enjoy games and exchange songs and stories, and an inner one with a throne forthe king and Iunurious seats for his guests. ‘There was an inner court for Penelope and her mids, ‘Thece, facing Penelope's throne, Odysseus erected a Shine to Pallas Athene. ‘The cout led into s hidden receswitere there was a lofty bedzoom, hung with tapestries of purple and gold. ‘The bed had four living tuees for posts, symbols of life and enduring faithful. ness. A miniature statue of Athene stood beside the couch, Each night Odysseus and Penelope knelt to- gether to give thanks to their guardian goddess for thei happiness. Often Athene herself appeared and gave them her blesing. Strong of body, loving of heart, these two young mortals rejoiced in their union, and thei joy ex tended to the entire kingdom. ‘epesnus axp PENeLorn 9 Penelope taught the women to weave. Priceless ‘apesties and fine cloth came from their Jooms. Odys- seus directed the planting and harvesting, and assigned ach man his part in the work. He led the games and encouraged painters, sculptors, and poets in their art Purple grapes ripened on the hillsides. Wine for drink- ‘ng. end for libations to the gods was abundant and Aclcious, Olives, stcred to Pallas Athene, dourshed, yielding oil for food and the anointing of bodies. Pome: ranates and apples guew throughout the land. Peace and plenty blessed Ithaca ‘Then the day came when a beautiful som was born to the king and queen, The little prince was called ‘Telemachus, Prayers went up to Olympus imploring pro- tection of the gods for this child. Laces lifted his grandson to the heavens and offered him to the service of the gods and the glory of Greece. The whole king: dom united in feasting and rejoicing. ‘The fst year of the life of Telemachus passed happily for Odysseus and Penelope, They did uot know that a time of separa: tion, dunger, and deep distress was soon to shatter theit peice,@ (Cuseren IL DISCORD AMONG THE GODS Protos of rinomart map same‘wom mt axons under Jason. It was while voyaging in quest of the Golden Flesce that the young ‘Thesslonian saw the ‘entifol mympb, Thetis. Great lve famed in his heat, ad at ast he won he. Zeus bine had approved their ‘mariage, and all Thesaly joined in preparation fo the injou event. The Orsle had prophesied that fom thi sion Achilles, ature hero of the Troan Wet, would be born. ‘The Thessalonians set about making ready fora wed- ding feat such as the work hod never teen. They scoured the earth for efits nd Sowers forthe ba- quet. Choice wines were brought. from stores long, Ttevured for Ibotion to the gods, Creat tes never Irefote sen on the pains of Thesaly were brought fom the mountains and planted inthe palace pres. “Te women of THessly wove beaut tpestis and fashioned a quilt for the couch of Thetis with such cun- ning handialt that pets woe of long apr see “a wonder quilt empurpled with dye of the sea Shel”, On this porle pound they enbroderel sens recording heroic events of the past—scenes telling the story of Theseus, bold false loves, and Ariadne, injuredand innocent, who was comforted by the god Dionysus. "The gorgeously woven antique figores carried for future generations lessons of heroism and justice: “To the good falleth good; to the evil, evil speedily.” Hephaestus, artfcer of Olympus, laboured cess: ingly at his forge, fashioning marvellous plates of gold, jewelled goblets, thrones of priceless ivory and a unique couch fer Thetis, made of the tusk of Indian elephar ‘The lame son of Zeus worked joyously to show his grat. de to Thetis. She and her sisters had befriended him