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6th grade History

The Odyssey

Chapter 1, Polyphemus The Cyclops

Odysseus and his men finally leave Troy after 10 years. He has 12 ships with 60 men on each ship. Each ship is filled
with treasure taken from Troy. They are all eager to get home to Ithaca as fast as possible.

The ships land at the land of the Cicones. Here the Greeks kill Cicones and take their cattle. Odysseus wants to leave
immediately, but his men want to feast on the meat and sleep there. The next morning allies of the Cicones attack the
Greeks, killing many. Odysseus and his men escape, but 72 (10% of the men) are killed, leaving 54 men on each of the 12
ships.

The next stop is at the land of the Lotus-eaters. The people who live here are peaceful and lazy. All they do all day is eat
the fruit of the lotus and rest. A few of Odysseus’ men eat lotus fruit and lose all desire to get home. Odysseus realizes
they need to get out of there as fast as possible before the rest of them eat lotus and want to stay there forever.

The land of the Cyclops is next. It is a land of pastures and no houses because all the Cyclops live in caves. Odysseus and
12 men wait in a cave to meet Polyphemus and offer him wine. They hope he will give to them lots of gifts in return.
Instead Polyphemus traps them in the cave and eats them two at a time. Odysseus (No-one) and his remaining men
sharpen a stick, impale Polyphemus’s eye and hid underneath the sheep leaving the cave to escape. Once Odysseus on
safely on his ship again, he taunts Polyphemus. Polyphemus is blind but he throws boulders at the Greek ships, he also
insults Odysseus, and finally Polyphemus calls upon his father Poseidon to curse the voyage of the Greeks. Polyphemus
asks that is Odysseus is able to get home to Ithaca, that he finds his home unfriendly.

The Greeks land at Aeolia where Aeolus lives. Aeolus is king of the winds and a gracious host. Odysseus and his men
stay there for 30 days feasting and celebrating with Aeolus and Aeolus’s 12 children and wife. When it is time to leave,
Aeolus gives Odysseus a favorable wind to carry the Greek ships swiftly back to Ithaca. Aeolus also gives Odysseus a
bag filled with bad wind and tell him to open that bag when he is back home. The shores of Ithaca are in sight and the
Greek men are excited. Odysseus relaxes for a moment. One of the men who is curious to see what is in that bag, opens it
and the wind causes such a storm that the ships end right back at Aeolia. The Greeks are devastated. Odysseus asks
Aeolus for another favorable wind. Aeolus rejects Odysseus, saying that he must be the unluckiest man in the world and
that he wants nothing to do with Odysseus and that Odysseus should leave the island immediately. Odysseus and his men
leave Aeolia.

The next stop is the island of Telepylus. Here Antiphates is king. He is a HUGE man married to a HUGE wife. The
quickly show the Greeks that all they are going to do to them is eat them. The Greeks try to escape but the men and
women of the island called the Laestrygonians attack them and their ships. Odysseus manages to escape, almost all the
other men are captured and taken back to Laestrygonian homes to be eater. There is one Greek ship left.

Chapter 2, Circe

When Odysseus and his remaining ship make it to the island of Circe, they are in horrible shape. They are dispirited from
losing all their comrades. They sit and mourn for a couple of days. Odysseus kills a stag and he and his men have a feast
that helps improve their spirits. After they have eaten the divide themselves into two groups. Odysseus’ group will stay by
the ships. The other lead by Eurylochus will investigate the land. Eurylochus and his men find the home of Circe, the
enchantress. There are wild animals like lions and wolves there that are gentle and friendly. This scares Eurylochus and
he does not to go into Circe’s home, he hides. The other men go into Circe’s home for a meal. Not long after Eurylochus
sees that the men have been turned into swine (pigs). Eurylochus runs back to the ships to get help from Odysseus.
Odysseus speaks with Circe and convinces her to let his men go and to let them leave her island. Circe turns the pigs
back into Greeks and offers them all a feast.

Chapter 3, The Land of Hades

Odysseus and his men stay with Circe for a year. Eventually they realize that time is passing and they need to get back
home to their families/responsibilities in Ithaca. Circe tells Odysseus that he must go to the Land of Hades before he
tries to get back to Ithaca. In Hades, Odysseus will speak with Teiresias, the greatest seer (future teller) in the world.
Teiresias will tell Odysseus what he must know to make it home to Ithaca. Before Odysseus and his men leave Circe,
one of them dies – Elpenor. He falls of Circe’s roof to his death.

The Greeks must make sacrifices for Teiresias to contact them. They slaughter animals before Teiresias arrives, the spirit
of Elpenor speaks to the Greeks. Elpenor begs them to give him a proper burial so that his spirit can rest. They left him in
the land of Aeaea, Circe’s home, and Elpenor begs them to go back and bury him. Odysseus promises Elpenor that he
will. Teiresias then starts to speak. Teiresias warns Odysseus not to harm the cattle of Helios or else there will be terrible
results. Teiresias also tells Odysseus that Poseidon is very angry with him because of Polyphemus’s eye and the voyage
home will be very difficult, but that Odysseus will make it home and will find peace with his family. After speaking with
Teiresias, others come forward to speak to Odysseus. His mother Anticleia talks to him. She tells him that she died of a
broken heart but that his father Laertes is still alive, but suffering in Odysseus’s absence. Achilles asks for news of his
brave son (Neoptolemus), Agamemnon tells Odysseus that he was killed by family member over a family quarrel.

After they leave the Land of Hades, they return to Aeaea to properly bury Elpenor. Circe warns Odysseus to be careful
of the Sirens, Scylla, and the Charybdis. The Sirens will entice the sailors with their beautiful singing. The sailors will
forget to go home, sit and listen to the music as they starve to death. They must find a way not to listen to the Sirens. The
Scylla has 12 legs, 6 heads, and yaps like a dogs. She will eat 6 sailors from Odysseus’s ship as it passes. The Charybdis
is a dangerous whirlpool that can suck down the ship and spit it out, destroyed in pieces.

Chapter 4, Scylla and Charybdis and the Cattle of the Sun

Odysseus and his men bury Elpenor as they promised him they would. They leave Aeaea and are in immediate trouble.
To combat the Sirens, Odysseus puts beeswax into each of his men’s ears so they will not hear the Sirens, he then has the
men tie him securely to the mast of the ship. He tells the men that no matter what he does, not to untie him. The men
cannot hear the Sirens’ singing, but Odysseus can. It is glorious and he gestures to his men to let him go to the Sirens.
Most of them pay no attention to Odysseus because they cannot hear them. Eurylochus tightens the ropes around
Odysseus. The row toward the Scylla and the Charybdis. The Scylla grabs 6 men from the ship to eat. The ship makes it
around the dangerous whirlpool, the Charybdis because it goes on the other side of the strait, near the Scylla.

Finally, the ship passes the island of Thrinacia where the cattle of the sun live. The men beg Odysseus to let them rest
there for just an evening. They promise that they will not go near the cattle. Odysseus thinks it is a horrible idea, but he
finally gives in. When they land on the island they rest and eat the food they have brought with them. There are issues with
weather for the next twenty days so the crew and Odysseus are trapped there. The run out of supplies and finally in
desperation slaughter and devour a few of the cattle. After they leave Thrinacia the ship is devoured by Charybdis.
Odysseus is the only survivor. He grabs the mast of the ship and holds on….for days.

Chapter 5, Calypso

Odysseus holds on to the mast of the ship for 9 days. It carries him to the island of Ogygia, where Calypso lives. Calypso
is immortal, ever young and beautiful. She rescues Odysseus after he is washed ashore. He is starving and near death,
Calypso brings him back to life, and then she will not let him leave Ogygia. Odysseus is stuck there for 7 years. He is
miserable, and longs to go home to Ithaca. Calypso will not release him. She hopes eventually he will forget Ithaca and
want to stay with her forever.

Athena sees Odysseus from Olympus. She likes Odysseus because he is smart and a kind/fair king. Athena implores
Zeus to send Hermes to Ogygia and tell Calypso to let Odysseus go. Zeus agrees. Hermes tells Calypso it is time for
Odysseus to leave. Calypso reluctantly agrees. Odysseus builds a raft and ties Ino’s magic veil around his waist so that
he will not drown. His raft is destroyed, the veil saves him from drowning. Odysseus barely makes it to shore, he sleeps in
a bed of leaves so that he does not freeze to death.

Chapter 6, Nausicaa

Nausicaa is a Phaeacian princess. She is just of age to marry. Her father, King Alcinous, is aware that soon he will find a
match for Nausicaa. Nausicaa has a dream in which she is instructed to wash lots of laundry down by the river. She must
do this to prepare for her wedding and the celebration, so that everyone has clean garments to wear. The next morning
Nausicaa asks her father, King Alcinous, if she can go to the river and wash clothes. The king agrees and allows
Nausicaa to take a wagon full of dirty clothes to the river accompanied by servants and friends. They all wash the clothes
in the river and then bathe. After they are done bathing they play a ball game, keep away. The ball is overthrown and they
must run down to the river to find it. By the river in his bed of leaves, Odysseus is awaken by the commotion caused by
the search. He stands to greet this group. Everyone is alarmed to see him. Nausicaa is the only one to stand and speak to
Odysseus. He tells her he needs help. She gets him clothing and food and invites Odysseus to her parents’ palace.
Odysseus walks to the palace alone. King Alcinous and Queen Arete welcome Odysseus to their home and offer him
every comfort. King Alcinous even indicates that Nausicaa is available for marriage. Odysseus accepts the hospitality,
but not the offer of marriage. He sleeps comfortably in a bed that night.

Chapter 7, King Alcinous and the Phaeacians

Odysseus is a welcome guest in the palace of King Alcinous. The next morning Odysseus hears the minstrel Demodocus
singing the story of the war at Troy. This song causes Odysseus to remember all the friends he lost in the war, and how
hard the previous years have been. King Alcinous can see that Odysseus is affected by the music. Next there are various
athletic contests – boxing, running, wrestling, and more. A Phaeacian named Euryalus suggests that Odysseus is more of
a merchant than an athlete and that may be why Odysseus only watches the games rather than participating. Odysseus is
deeply offended by this remark. King Alcinous tells Odysseus that Phaeacians are especially known to be great dancers
and seamanship. They put on a show of dancing for Odysseus. Many of the nobles offer Odysseus valuable gifts,
Euryalus offers Odysseus a beautiful bronze sword as a gift/apology after offending Odysseus. Odysseus accepts the gift
and forgives Euryalus. Finally, Odysseus tell King Alcinous who is really is, King Odysseus of Ithaca, the very same
king that Demodocus was singing about before. Odysseus tells the Phaeacians all about his years at war and trying to get
home. King Alcinous offers Odysseus a ship and all the supplies he may need to finally get home to Ithaca. With the
help of the Phaeacians, Odysseus makes it to the shore of Ithaca with the gifts he was given all around him.

Chapter 8, Athene in Ithaca

Athene arrives at Ithaca disguised as a middle aged man. She heads right to Odysseus’ palace. At the palace, Athene is
welcomed by Telemachus, son of Odysseus and Penelope. Telemachus is 19 and unhappy that his home has so many
guests, all of whom seem eager to replace his father and marry his mother, Penelope. In spite of his worries, Telemachus
is a wonderful host to Athene who calls her disguised self Mentes. As Mentes, Athene offers Telemachus advice. She/he
suggests that Telemachus call an assembly in which he tells the elders how displeased he (Telemachus) is about how his
home is being treated. Mentes also recommends that Telemachus go on various trips to find any news of his father.
Mentes suggests that this situation will be resolved one way or another in a year, either Odysseus will be home or
Penelope will find another king for Ithaca. While Mentes and Telemachus are visiting, the minstrel Phemius starts
singing a song about Greeks returning from the war with Troy. Penelope hears this tune and suggest that Phemius sing
about something else. Telemachus tells his mother that this is fine music and that Phemius should continue to sing.
Penelope likes that Telemachus showed that confidence, the many suitors in the hall did not. They do not want
Telemachus to start standing up for himself because then it will become more difficult for them to be such imposing
guests.

Chapter 9, The Assembly

Telemachus called an assembly of all the noblemen and leaders of Ithaca. It was the first assembly since Odysseus had
left to fight in Troy, 20 years before. Telemachus looked very impressive at the meeting, every bit Odysseus’ son. He
announced that he called the meeting to tell his mother’s suitors to wait at their own homes for her answer concerning
marriage if Odysseus did not return. Antinous angrily told Telemachus that it was Penelope who caused their presence at
her home. She was supposed to announce whom she would marry after she finished weaving a burial shroud for Laertes,
Odysseus’ father. They realized that she was weaving the shroud during the day, and then pulling apart what she had
weaved at night, causing the weaving project to never end and breaking trust with the suitors. Antinous and others said
they would not leave Odysseus’ home until they had an answer from Penelope. Telemachus promised to bring vengeance
to those who did not leave. There was a sign in the sky, a bird fight directly above their heads. Halitherses then spoke. He
prophesized that Odysseus would return and those who abused Odysseus’ home would regret it. Telemachus then
announced to the assembly his intention to go to Pylos and speak to King Nestor about Odysseus and then head to Sparta
and speak to Menelaus about news of Odysseus.

Chapter 10, King Nestor

Telemachus was again insulted by the many suitors at his home before he left to see King Nestor at Pylos. Telemachus
asked his nurse, Eurycleia,to help him get supplies before his trip, 12 excellent jars of wine and bags of barley flour.
Telemachus makes Eurycleia promise not to tell Penelope about his journey to Pylos and Sparta. He tells her to say that
he is with his grandfather (Laertes) in the countryside so that Penelope will not worry. Eurycleia promises Telemachus
she will keep this secret for 12 days. Telemachus borrowed a small ship from Noemon and headed out to sea with his
friend Peiraeus and other adventurous young men his age. They sailed all through the night and arrived at Pylos as
Nestor, his sons, and citizens were celebrating Poseidon. Nestor’s son Peisistratus saw the ship and welcomed
Telemachus and his company to Pylos. Telemachus asked King Nestor about Odysseus. King Nestor revealed that he
knew nothing about Odysseus, the last he saw him (20 years ago!) Odysseus was following Agamemnon home and
Nestor was following Menelaus home. King Nestor encouraged Telemachus to head to Sparta to speak with Menelaus.
He offered Telemachus a chariot and the company of his son, Peisistratus to help him get to Sparta.

Chapter 11, Menelaus and Helen

Peisistratus and Telemachus arrive in Sparta to see that Menelaus and Helen are celebrating the wedding of their
daughter Hermione. They were brought into the palace by a Steward who asked Menelaus if the visitors were welcome.
Menelaus angrily replied that all visitors would be treated with hospitality in Sparta. Telemachus and Peisistratus were
very impressed with the grandeur of Menelaus’s palace, he had lots of wealth. They were equally impressed with the flat
land that surrounded Sparta and allowed chariots to quickly run over the roads. As they relaxed and enjoyed food and
wine Menelaus told stories of old friends and heroes of Troy, including Odysseus. This made Telemachus weep.
Menelaus noticed and although he did not know for sure who Telemachus was, Menelaus was certain that he resembled
his old friend Odysseus. Telemachus and Peisistratus also took note of Helen, the cause of the war. They agreed that she
still had great beauty and neither blamed her for all the destruction caused by the war. Finally, Telemachus is revealed to
be the son of Odysseus. Helen tells great stories of her witnessing Odysseus’ intelligence during the war. She also tells
Telemachus that even though she was living with the Trojans during the war, in her heart she was on the Greeks side.
That night Telemachus and Peisistratus slept in Menelaus’s luxurious palace, and talked about all the splendor that was
in Sparta as they feel asleep.

Chapter 12, The Old Man of the Sea

The next morning Menelaus found Telemachus and asked him why he had come all the way to Sparta. Telemachus told
Menelaus that he was hoping to find some news of Odysseus. Telemachus asked Menelaus if he knew anything at all
about what has happened to his father (Odysseus) in the ten years since the Trojan War ended. Telemachus also told
Menelaus of the problems at home with the suitors. Menelaus told Telemachus that his own journey home after the war
was difficult. Menelaus said that he and his men were trapped at an island and starving he asked Eidothea what he had
done to offend the gods and keep him from his home/Sparta. Eidothea told Menelaus that he must speak to her father,
Proteus, the Old Man of the Sea. Eidothea said that Menelaus would have to trap Proteus as he sunbathed with hundreds
of seals during his midday nap. Menelaus followed Eidothea’s directions, but trapping Proteus was not easy. Proteus did
not want to be caught and tried to resist by turning into various ferocious animals. Proteus told Menelaus that some gods
were angry with him because they felt he had been more respectful to some than others. To fix this offense, Menelaus
must journey back to Egypt and make more sacrifices. Proteus also told Menelaus that Odysseus lived and was stuck on
an island with Calypso. Menelaus told Telemachus that he did not want to have to go back to Egypt, but there seemed to
be no choice. After making the proper sacrifices in Egypt, a fair wind carried Menelaus to Sparta. That was all the news
that Menelaus had to share with Telemachus about Odysseus. Menelaus gave Telemachus many gifts (no horses due to
Ithaca’s difficult terrain) to bring home with him to Ithaca.

Chapter 13, Telemachus Returns to Ithaca

While Telemachus was still in Sparta enjoying the company of Menelaus, Noemon went to Odysseus’ home hoping to
find Telemachus and get his boat back. When Noemon was at Odysseus’ home the suitors asked him why he was there.
Noemon reveals to them that days before he lent Telemachus his small ship so that Telemachus could journey to Pylos to
see King Nestor and then to Sparta to see King Menelaus and Queen Helen. The suitors are surprised and angry. They
plot to go to sea to intersect with Telemachus and kill him. After Telemachus is dead, they can finally steal all of
Odysseus’ belongings and force Penelope to choose one of them as her husband. Odysseus’ faithful herald, Medon,
overhears the suitors’ plot and reports it to Penelope and Eurycleia. From Medon, Penelope finds out that Telemachus
has gone to Pylos/Sparta, but also that there are plans to kill her son. Both women are horrified to hear what the suitors
intend to do to Telemachus. Eurycleia assures Penelope that there is a god/goddess on Telemachus’ side and everything
will be okay. Penelope preys to Athene all night and dreams about her sister Iphthime. In the dream, Iphthime tells
Penelope that Telemachus will be safe because Athene is protecting him. Athene goes to Telemachus (while he is still
in Sparta) and warns him to get home as fast as possible. Telemachus drives with Peisistratus as fast as possible from
Sparta to Pylos. In Pylos, Telemachus meets Theoclymenus. Theoclymenus asks Telemachus for a ride to Ithaca.
Theoclymenus is in trouble for accidently killing someone. He needs protection and help immediately. Telemachus
agrees to bring Theoclymenus to Ithaca. Telemachus then jumps on his ship (without saying goodbye to King Nestor)
and heads home to Ithaca with a fair wind and Athene’s protection. Once they are in Ithaca, Telemachus sends
Theoclymenus home with Peiraeus and assures him that he can come to see him at Odysseus’ home once things are more
settled/safe. Telemachus then heads to Eumaeus’ (swineheard) home to avoid the suitors altogether.

Chapter 14, Eumaeus the Swineherd

Odysseus wakes up on the shore of Ithaca. He is surrounded by the gifts from the Phaeacians. Odysseus stands and sees
(Athene disguised) a shepherd. Odysseus summons the shepherd and asks for news of this island. Odysseus pretends to
be from Crete. Athene reveals herself to Odysseus and laughs at his pretending to be someone else from Crete. Athene
praises Odysseus and tells him that she has been with him the entire time. Athene assures Odysseus that he is finally
back in Ithaca, but she also tells him about the troubles that await him at his home. She disguises Odysseus as a very old
man and sends him to Eumaeus’ hut. This will give Odysseus time to get information about who is friends/enemies are.
Odysseus goes to Eumaeus hut. There he is treated as an honored guest, given food, a place by the fire, and clothing to
keep him warm. Eumaeus proves to be a loyal and honest friend (of Odysseus) and tells this old stranger (Odysseus) all
about the greed of the suitors who have taken over Odysseus’ home.

Chapter 15, Odysseus Meets his Son

Odysseus (disguised as an old beggar) continues to stay with Eumaeus, the swineherd. Odysseus is impressed with the
swineherd’s loyalty and generosity, but he tells Eumaeus that he is concerned that he is taking from the little that
Eumaeus has. Odysseus suggests that he should go to the town and beg there, because there will be nobles around who
may be generous to him. Eumaeus tells Odysseus to stay with him because the men in town, especially the suitors, will be
cruel to him. The men share stories, Eumaeus tells about how he ended up living in Ithaca and other stories about
Odysseus’ parents, Laertes and Anticleia.

As this is going on, Telemachus lands at Ithaca. He is told by Athene go to the swineherd’s home. When Telemachus
arrives, he is welcomed by Eumaeus and the dogs. Telemachus and the old beggar (Odysseus) make polite conversation.
Telemachus asks Eumaeus to go to his house to let Penelope know that he is back in Ithaca and safe. While Eumaeus is
doing this errand, Athene tells Odysseus to reveal himself to Telemachus. Odysseus is briefly transformed from an old
beggar to himself. Telemachus is happy to meet his father and together they begin to devise a plan for vengeance against
the suitors.

Chapter 16, Penelope and her Suitors

The suitors were sorely disappointed that the plot to murder Telemachus had failed. Antinous suggested that they still
must kill Telemachus so that Penelope would finally chose a husband from among them. The rest of the suitors agreed
with Antinous.

Penelope was relieved that Telemachus was back to Ithaca. She went down to the hall where the suitors feasted and
played and chastised Antinous and Eurymachus for their poor behavior in Odysseus’ home and for the plot to murder
Telemachus. Antinous and Eurymachus denied any wrongdoing to Penelope and tried to soften her view of them by
saying kind things about Odysseus. Penelope believed neither of them.

Telemachus told Eumaeus that it was time for him to return home. Eumaeus was frightened for Telemachus, worried
that the suitors would do something horrible to him. At home, Telemachus greeted Penelope warmly and then headed to
the assembly place to see other townspeople and to tell them about his journey to Pylos and Sparta. Many of the suitors
followed Telemachus and observed him at the assembly place, wishing that he were dead.

Chapter 17, Odysseus goes Home

Odysseus (the beggar) and Eumaeus (the swineherd) headed for Odysseus’ house. On the way they ran into Melanthius,
the cowherd. Eumaeus and Melanthius did not like each other. As loyal as Eumaeus was, Melanthius was not.
Melanthius liked serving the suitors, imagining his situation improving once one of them married Penelope and he was
rewarded for his courtesy to the suitor. Melanthius insulted Eumaeus and Odysseus, even kicking Odysseus.

When (old/beggar) Odysseus got to his home he saw his dog, Argus. Argus was very old (more than 20 years old) and
did his best to acknowledge his long lost master, dying in his attempt to get up to see Odysseus. Odysseus patted his
beloved animal, realizing that at least there was one who was glad to see him.
At his home Odysseus was finally able to see with his own eyes exactly how bad things were. He observed how the
suitors treated his home, his servants, his son, and himself as a beggar. He was placed on a chair in the doorway and
offered a plate of food. After that, if he wanted more, he had to ask each suitor for something from his plate. Most shared,
but most were very insulting to Odysseus (the beggar). Antinous even threw a stool at Odysseus. As the hours passed,
Odysseus met the lazy Irus who insulted Odysseus. The suitors insisted the two fight (the old beggar Odysseus vs. the fat
lazy Irus), granting the winner the best black pudding and a seat at the table. Odysseus knocked Irus out with one punch.

Penelope asked Eumaeus about the stranger that he brought to her house. Eumaeus told Penelope everything he could
about Odysseus. She thought that she should meet this wanderer. Odysseus asked Eumaeus to tell Penelope that he
(Odysseus) would meet her after the suitors had gone home for the evening. Penelope agreed.

Chapter 18, Odysseus speaks with his Wife

Penelope entered the great hall. All the suitors ceased their merry-making and looked at her. Everyone agreed that she had
never looked more beautiful. Penelope called to Telemachus to tell him how disappointed she was that anyone
(Odysseus, the beggar) could be treated so poorly in their home. Telemachus assured his mother that he still remembered
how to treat a stranger, and he reminded her that he had very little power in their home.

The suitors continued to eat and drink after Penelope had left their company. Odysseus continued to stand away,
observing. He was feeding the lanterns wood to keep them lit when Eurymachus starting insulting him, saying that he was
surely a very lazy beggar. Eurymachus then threw a stool at Odysseus. The stool missed its target, and a servant carrying
wine was hit, the wine spilled everywhere. The suitors then decided that (after one more cup of wine) it was time to go
home.

After the suitors departed, Odysseus and Telemachus cleared the hall of all the weapons and shields on the wall. They
saved some weapons for themselves.

Penelope and Odysseus (the beggar) sat in front of the fire. Odysseus convinced Penelope that he knew Odysseus years
ago by correctly describing what he was wearing. Penelope wept to hear this story. Penelope told him about a trick that
Odysseus used to play in the great hall – stringing his bow and shooting an arrow through the top of lined up axes.
Penelope decided to challenge the suitors to accomplish this, and to marry that man who could do it.

Chapter 19, The Great Bow

The suitors return to Odysseus’ home the next day. It was a holiday celebrating Apollo. The servants were working extra
hard to prepare the house for the festivities. Odysseus’ trusted cowherd (Philoetius) was at the home to deliver meat for
the party. Philoetius was as devoted to Odysseus as Eumaeus and horrified by the behavior of the suitors.

The suitors mingled and feasted in the great hall. One of them, Ctesippus of Same, started to mock Odysseus and threw a
bone at him. The bone missed Odysseus’ head, but the insult hit. Telemachus screamed at Ctesippus for that behavior.
Theoclymenus stood and warned the suitors that blood was about to be shed. He then put on his cloak and ran away from
the house.

Penelope offered the bow challenge to the suitors. Whoever could string Odysseus’ bow and shoot through the axes
would become her husband. Each of the suitors tried, each failed. By the time the bow reached Antinous, he suggested
they continue the contest the next day and spend the rest of this one celebrating Apollo. Odysseus asked for a turn. He
easily strung the bow and shot the arrow through the axes. The suitors were embarrassed.

Chapter 20, The Battle with the Suitors

With the help of Eumaeus, Philoetius, and Telemachus, Odysseus was ready to slaughter the suitors. The gates were
locked in the courtyard, the doors were shut, there was no escape. Odysseus started with Antinous, shooting an arrow
through his neck. Eurymachus tried to negotiate and get the rest of the suitors out of there. Eurymachus offered to pay
Odysseus back for all the food/wine, and suggested that Odysseus had killed the worst of them, Antinous. Odysseus
rejected this offer and said he would only feel better once they were all dead. Their aim was true and the suitors fell. The
12 disloyal servants were forced to clean the mess in the great hall after the massacre and then were killed. Medon and
Phemius were allowed to live – Medon because he had warned Penelope of the suitors’ plan against Telemachus and had
only reluctantly served the suitors and Phemius because he was only guilty of singing well.
Penelope was extremely careful about accepting that Odysseus was finally home. To her he looked too old. After
Odysseus had taken a bath, put on clean (royal) clothes, and been made to look 40 again by Athena, Penelope began to
recognize him. When Odysseus was able to correctly describe how he built their bed, Penelope knew it was Odysseus.
She was thrilled!

Chapter 21, Laertes

Odysseus traveled to Laertes’ farm to find his father. It did not take long for Odysseus to reveal himself to his father –
the boar scar on Odysseus’ leg helped. Laertes wished he could have helped his son and Telemachus kill the suitors. He
was overjoyed to see Odysseus again.

The families of the suitors were angry with Odysseus for killing them. They wanted revenge against Odysseus. When
Athena and Zeus saw that Odysseus was in trouble in Ithaca, they sent a message that the unjust suitors got what they
deserved.

Odysseus lived the next years of his life peacefully and happy with his family, just as Teiresias had predicted!