Odysseus - Ancient History Encyclopedia Odysseus by Mark Cartwright published on 31 December 2012 Famed for his courage, intelligence, and leadership, Odysseus ( Roman name: Ulysses) was one of the great pan - Hellenic heroes of Greek mythology . His resourcefulness and oratory skills were instrumental in the Greek victory in the Trojan War and following the conflict, he was the protagonist in many fantastic adventures on his long voyage back home to Ithaka (or Ithaca). In Greek mythology , Odysseus was the son of Laertes and Antikleia (or Anticlea) and the King of Ithaca, leader of the Kephallenians. Married to Penelope, he also had a son, Telemachos (or Telemachus). The hero was also fortunate enough to regularly receive the special aid and protection of the goddess Athena . Hesiod describes Odysseus as “patient-minded”, and Homer most often describes him as “godlike”, also as “ Zeus ’ equal in his mind’s resource” and a truly great speaker, whose persuasive words “flocked down like snowflakes in winter”.

However, the hero was not just a thinker but also a warrior, and his courage and fighting prowess are referenced in the Homeric epithet “sacker of cities ”. Homer also states that the name Odysseus means “victim of enmity”, no doubt in reference to the ill-feeling which Poseidon directed against the hero. Remove Ads Advertisement The first rich source of information on Odysseus was Homer’s account of the Trojan War in the Iliad in which our hero is a protagonist. Odysseus was involved in several important episodes and his intelligence, wise counsel, and wits proved crucial to the eventual Greek success in the war. However, Odysseus very nearly avoided the conflict altogether for when he was called upon by Palamedes (an emissary of Menelaos), the King of Ithaca was loathe to leave his wife and family and so pretended to be insane. This he convincingly did by ploughing a field with an ox and an ass yoked together and scattering salt in the furrows.

Palamedes was not to be tricked though and by laying the young Telemachos in the path of the plough, Odysseus was forced to swerve and so demonstrate he was not so mad after all. It was Odysseus who persuaded the reluctant Achilles to join the Greek expedition to Troy . Hidden away by his mother Thetis (who knew his fate should he participate in the War), Achilles was brought up by the royal family of Lykomedes on the island of Skyros. However, Nestor, the wise king of Pylos, predicted that only with the help of the great warrior Achilles could the Greeks hope to conquer the great walled city of Troy. Accordingly, the wily Odysseus was sent to persuade the greatest fighter in Greece to leave his wife and son and fight alongside the forces led by King Agamemnon . Disguised as a rich salesman, the King of Ithaca tempted Achilles to drop his disguise as one of the daughters of Skyros and reveal his true identity by presenting an assortment of fine weapons for which the great warrior was unable to hide his interest. With Achilles also came his formidable private army, the Myrmidons of Thessaly.

In the trojan war Odysseus came up with the brilliant idea of the wooden horse. Odysseus was once again chosen as envoy in order to persuade Agamemnon’s daughter Iphigeneia to join the Greek forces at Aulis. Whilst hunting, Agamemnon mistakenly killed a deer sacred to Artemis and according to the seer Kalchas, only the sacrifice of the king’s daughter would appease the goddess and allow the Greeks safe voyage to Troy. Odysseus then travelled to Mycenae and promised Iphigeneia’s mother Klytaimestra that the girl could marry Achilles. Pleased at the prospect of such a prestigious son-in-law, the queen readily agreed. When arriving at Aulis, however, preparations had already been made for the sacrifice and the poor girl was immediately set upon an altar. Fortunately though, just as Agamemnon let fall his sword, Artemis took pity on the girl, replaced her with a deer, and spirited off Iphigeneia to become a priestess at Tauris in one of the goddess’ sanctuaries. The Greeks duly received fair winds and landed at Troy.

Apart from a minor incident where Odysseus and Diomedes ambushed the youth Dolon in a forest, Odysseus had little to do until the final stages of the war. Following the death of Achilles, there was something of a squabble over who should inherit the hero’s magnificent armour. Odysseus and Telamonian Ajax both forwarded claims but the matter was finally decided in a vote and with Athena influencing proceedings, Odysseus was given the weapons and armour made by Hephaistos . Remove Ads Advertisement Notwithstanding the loss of their talismanic warrior, the war ran on, but at this point the Greeks began to employ a little more strategic thinking to the problem of overcoming the walls of Troy. The seer Kalchas predicted victory only if the Greeks could somehow ensure three things. These were: the involvement of Achilles’ son Neoptolemos in the war; Hercules ’ fabled weapons, then in the hands of Philoktetes (or Philoctetes), had to be used; and finally, the Greeks had to capture the Palladion. The latter was a sacred wooden statue of Athena which was believed to have fallen from heaven and been found by Troas, the founder of Troy.

The Trojans believed that this statue gave them protection and power so that by stealing it the Greeks would gain a great advantage in the war. Odysseus was the man to accomplish all three of these difficult tasks. First, he went back to Syros and persuaded Neoptolemos to join him. Then he went to Lemnos to pick up Philoktetes and the weapons of Hercules. The latter was, though, more than a little peeved at having been abandoned on the island in the first place, but it turned out to be worth all the persuasive efforts of Odysseus, as Philoktetes managed to kill Paris with his deadly arrows pretty much as soon as he entered the battle at Troy. Remove Ads Advertisement This left task three to be accomplished - to take the sacred Palladion from the heart of the city. To find the exact location of the statue, Odysseus disguised himself as a beggar and entered the city undetected. One person did recognise the infiltrator though, and that was Helen , by now forcibly remarried to another of Priam’s sons and anxious to return to Greece. It was she who guided Odysseus to the location of the Palladion.

Returning to the Greek camp with this knowledge, Odysseus enlisted the help of Diomedes and the next night, the pair once more stole into the city and made off with the statue. Despite the theft of the Palladion, the war rumbled on and it became clear a more ambitious strategy was required if the Greeks were ever going to win the conflict. With divine inspiration from Athena, Odysseus came up with the brilliant idea of the wooden horse. He had carpenters build a huge horse in which could hide a number of Greek soldiers. The trick was how to persuade the Trojans to take the horse inside the city walls. Odysseus first had all of the Greeks abandon their camp and sail away out of view, anchoring off the island of Tenedos. This left only the horse standing alone on the plain with one man left behind, Sinon. He pretended to have been hunted by the Greeks as an enemy and potential sacrificial victim.

Gaining their confidence, he then proceeded to tell the gullible Trojans a cock and bull story about Athena being outraged at the theft of her statue, her punishing the Greeks and telling them the only way back into her good books was to build a gigantic wooden horse in her honour and sail back home. Falling hook, line, and sinker for the story, the Trojans duly dragged the horse into the city to stand outside the temple of Athena. With the exception of Laokoon and Aeneas, the Trojans then set about partying the night away in celebration of finally winning the war. When the party finally ended and the Trojans were sleeping in a drunken stupor, Sinon fired a signal to the waiting Greek ships and they promptly returned to the shores of Troy. Odysseus and his fellow warriors then descended from within the horse, opened the city gates, and the Greek army routed the Trojans, defiling temples and mercilessly slaughtering all and sundry. One unfortunate consequence of the Greek’s ungallant behaviour at Troy was that the gods punished them by ensuring many of their ships met with disaster on the return voyage home.

One of the few survivors was Odysseus but only after an incredibly protracted voyage of detours and misadventures which are recounted in Homer’s Odyssey. Lasting ten years, on his odyssey home the hero stopped in many ports, few of which were friendly. The first stop was the island of Kikones where amongst other things, the god Apollo gave the hero twelve flasks of wine. Then, hit by a storm, Odysseus and his flotilla were washed up on the shores of the Lotus Eaters. Eating the plant made one forget one’s homeland so the hero turned down their offer of hospitality and quickly pushed on with his voyage. Next stop was the island of the Cyclopes - the one-eyed giants - who lived peacefully tending their sheep. As luck would have it, though, Odysseus bumped into the man-eating Cyclops Polyphemos, the son of Poseidon, god of the sea. The giant took a fancy to the travelling Greeks and trapped them in his cave, swiftly eating two as an appetizer. Seeing the gravity of the situation, Odysseus immediately forged a cunning plan of escape.

Tempting Polyphemos with wine until the Cyclops was drunk, the hero ordered his men to turn Polyphemos’ olive-wood staff into a spike, this they then hardened in a fire and used to blind the Cyclops while he slept. Unable to see and understandably livid at his treatment, Polyphemos tried to catch the travelling Greeks by feeling his sheep as they left the cave for their grazing. Odysseus then instructed his men to tie themselves to the bellies of the sheep whilst he chose a ram for the purpose, and thus they escaped to continue their voyage. However, the Cyclops cursed Odysseus, predicting the loss of his men, a wearisome voyage home, and disaster when he finally arrived there. Calling on the help of his father Poseidon, Polyphemos ensured that it would be many a storm and ten long years before Odysseus reached Ithaca. Further adventures followed.

Amongst them was a stop in Aiolia (or Aeolia) where the god of the winds, Aiolos (or Aeolus), gave Odysseus a flask which contained all the winds except the one which would take him home but, unfortunately, some members of Odysseus’ crew allowed curiosity to get the better of them and, within sight of Ithaca, they opened the bottle. As a result, the contrary winds escaped and Odysseus’ storm-tossed ships were swept all the way back to Aiolia. Resuming the voyage once again, more unfortunate stopovers occurred in Laistrygonia where the gigantic locals, led by Antiphates, attacked and killed many of the party by pelting them with huge rocks. The few survivors then made it in a single ship to Aiaia (or Aeaea), an island belonging to the sorceress Circe (or Kirke), where more trouble awaited the beleaguered voyagers. The goddess turned a group of the travellers into swine and Odysseus was only able to resolve the situation with a gift from Hermes . The messenger god gave the hero moly, a plant which made him immune to Circe’s spells.

However, the two got on rather well and became lovers, resulting in Odysseus extending his sojourn to a whole year. Eventually, resolving to continue his journey home, Odysseus was advised by Circe to visit the underworld and seek the advice of the Theban seer Teiresias who would give him travel directions. On his journey there, the hero met his mother, Antikleia, who had died from grief at her son’s continued absence. He also met many fallen heroes such as Hercules, Achilles, and Agamemnon. On returning to the world of the living, Circe gave Odysseus one final piece of advice. This was to beware of the Sirens - bird creatures with women’s heads - who ensnared passers-by with their beautiful and enchanting singing. Accordingly, when the hero’s ship passed the Siren ’s island, he instructed his crew to block their ears with wax whilst he himself was strapped to the ship’s mast so that he might hear the divine singing yet not be entrapped by it.

Successfully getting past the Sirens, the hero and his few remaining crew then had to negotiate the terrible seas between two rocks inhabited by the monsters Skylla (who had twelve feet, six heads and ate mariners for fun) and Charybdis (who swallowed the seas three times and spat them out three times to create fearsome whirlpools). Six more of the crew were lost here but the ship survived to continue its voyage home. A brief stop at Thrinikia (or Thrinacie) turned into a month-long stay due to bad weather and the Greeks ran out of food. Despite the earlier advice of Teiresias not to touch the herds of Helios , some of the starving crew, led by Eurylochus, slaughtered several of the animals for food. Outraged, Helios caused the ship to capsize when it left Thrinikia and the only survivor of the disaster was Odysseus, who, after nine days adrift, washed up on the shores of Ogygia. Here the hero spent five years imprisoned by, but also enjoying the charms of, the Nymph Calypso and with her having a son, Nausithous.

However, credit to our hero, despite the offer of immortality and eternal youth, Odysseus decided he must try once more to return to his homeland. Calypso, prompted by divine intervention, helped the hero build a raft on which he set off for Ithaca once more. Poseidon, however, once more spitefully intervened and caused a fearful storm to smash the raft to pieces. Odysseus then washed up battered and naked on the island of Scheria, home of the Phaeacians, straight into the sympathetic care of Nausikaa, the daughter of King Alkinoos (or Alcinous). Restored to full health and vigour, the hero was given one of the magic Phaiacian ships which needed no captain to steer. With this vessel Odysseus finally made it back to Ithaca. However, just as Polyphemos had promised, all was not well in the king’s palace. After ten years away, Odysseus had been all but forgotten, only his wife Penelope kept faith with the long-missed king. Athena gave the hero an update on all that had passed in his absence.

Considered long-dead, many a suitor sought the hand of Penelope and the would-be kings (all 108 of them) had taken residence in the palace itself. Penelope constantly put off a decision of re-marriage though and hoped against hope that her husband was still alive somewhere. Consequently, to push the situation to a crisis, the suitors planned to kill her son Telemachos at the soonest opportunity. On the advice of Athena, and exercising his famously nimble wits, Odysseus dressed as a beggar and visited the palace in person to assess the situation. Only Odysseus’ old maid Eurykleia recognised the hero (from a distinctive scar on his leg) and so too his faithful old dog, Argos , knew his old master but rather tragically died as soon as the two were reunited. Revealing himself to his son Telemachos (just back from Pylos), Odysseus planned a strategy to free the palace of all the hangers-on and reclaim his rightful authority. The hero, still in his beggar disguise, was badly treated by the palace suitors and was the butt of many a cruel jest but revenge was soon to be had.

Penelope challenged the suitors that if one of them could string the huge bow that had belonged to the old king and then shoot an arrow through twelve axe-heads, she would marry him. Of course, none of the hapless suitors had the necessary strength to string the bow, never mind shoot with it. Then, up stepped the beggar and to a chorus of sceptical jeers, unbelievably, strung the bow with ease and fired an arrow dead-straight through the axe-heads. Flinging off his disguise, Odysseus revealed his true identity and spread panic amongst the suitors. There was to be no escape for the interlopers, though, because, as planned, Telemachos had closed all the doors and removed the weapons mounted on the walls. Odysseus then casually picked off the suitors one by one with his fearsome bow and so reclaimed his long abandoned kingdom. The royal couple, together again after ten long years of separation, lived happily ever after, or not quite.

For in a tragic final twist, an aged Odysseus was killed by Telegonos, his son by Circe, when he landed on Ithaca and in battle, unknowingly killed his own father. Odysseus is a popular subject in ancient Greek art, appearing on vases, coins, sculpture, tripods, and shield bands from all over Greece and he is often identified by his pilos - a conical felt hat. Scenes on red- and black-figure pottery from the 7th to the 5th century BCE depicting Odysseus include the mission to Achilles, the quarrel with Ajax over the armour of Achilles, the theft of the Palladion, blinding the Cyclops, washing up on the shores of Scheria, and taking revenge on Penelope’s suitors. The subject of the wooden horse is surprisingly uncommon in Greek art but it is famously represented on a clay relief pithos from Mykonos c. 670 BCE. A celebrated representation of Odysseus and the Sirens is found on an Attic red-figure stamnos from Vulci c. 450 BCE.

About the Author Myth of the legendary Odysseus - Greeka.com Discover the myth of Odysseus Odysseus, a legendary man According to Homer, Laertes and Anticleia were the parents of Odysseus. He was married to Penelope and they gave birth to a son, Telemachus. Odysseus was often called "Odysseus the Cunning" because of his clever and quick mind. Autolycus, his grandfather, was a famous skilled thief in the Peloponnese . The Romans transformed the name Odysseus to Ulysses and that is how he is mostly known today all over the world. Odysseus had a proud and arrogant character. He was the master of disguise in both appearance and voice. He also excelled as a military commander and ruler, as is evident from the role he played in ensuring to the Greeks the victory over Troy, giving thus an end to the long Trojan War. The fall of Troy All began the day Paris of Troy abducted Helen, wife of Menelaus, king of Sparta.

Enraged, Menelaus called upon all kings of Greece, including Odysseus, as all had once vowed to defend the honour of Helen, if someone ever tried to insult her. Odysseus, however, tried to escape the promise made to Menelaus by feigning insanity. Agamemnon, the brother of Menelaus proved Odysseus to be lying and henceforth the legendary warrior set out for Troy, along with Agamemnon the lord of men, Achilles the invincible, Nestor he wise and Teucer the master archer, as they were called. Ten years had passed since the Greeks attacked Troy and they were all still there, outside the strong walls, fighting with the locals, who proved themeselves brave warriors. In the tenth year of the war, Odysseus the Cunning, the most trusted advisor and counselor of king Agamemnon, the leader of the Greeks, devised a plan to deceive the Trojans. He wanted to make them believe that the Greeks had lost their nerves and had returned back to Greece. In the middle of the night, the Greeks deserted Troy leaving only a gigantic wooden horse on wheels outside the gates of the city.

When dawn broke, the Trojans were surprised to see no Greek army surrounding them, only a wooden horse. They indeed believed that the Greeks had gone and had left this horse as a gift to the gods, to give them a good sea trip. Thus they wheeled the wooden horse into their city and started revelry to celebrate the end of the war. However, unknown to the Trojans, Odysseus had built a hollow into the wooden horse to hide there a few Greek warriors. This plan was the only way to gain entry to the city that had held its defenses for so many years. Now that they were inside Odysseus and his men went out the dummy horse and slaughtered the unsuspecting guards. Then they opened the city gates and allowed the entire Greek army, who were hiding some miles away, to enter the city. Thus, thanks to the plan of Odysseus, the Greeks won the Trojan War. With the war over, Odysseus and his men set sail for their homeland, Ithaca, but in the end only one of them would come back. The long journey home The journey home for Odysseus and his fellows would be long and full of adventures.

Their eyes would see all the strange of the world and Odysseus would come home with more memories and experiences than any other person in the world. The Cicones Odysseus and his legion set sail from Troy aboard twelve ships. Tranquil waters facilitated the movement of the ships and they were well out to sea. After a few days, they sighted land and Eurylochus, second-in-command to Odysseus, convinced him to weigh anchor, go ashore and devastate the city with the assurance that they would not be harmed. Seeing the ships weigh anchor and thenceforth the warriors coming ashore, the Ciconians, the local residents, fled to the nearby mountains. Odysseus and his men plundered and looted the empty city. However, the men of Odysseus resisted his efforts to get them back aboard the ship immediately and after a hearty meal accompanied by wine that flew like water, they fell asleep on the shore. Before the first light, the Ciconians returned with their fierce neighbors and set upon the warriors, killing as many as they could. Odysseus and his men beat a hasty retreat to their ships but heavy damages had already been inflicted on their number.

Berating himself for having listened to Eurylochus and thereafter losing so many valuable men, Odysseus and Eurylochus fought with each other but they were separated by their fellow-men and peace was once again established amidst the warriors. The Lotus-Eaters Rounding to the south, Odysseus and his men were blown off-course, towards the land of the Lotus-Eaters. While Odysseus was scouting around the land, some of his men mingled with the natives and ate the local lotus grown on the land. Soon, everything went hazy and the men found themselves under the heavy influence of some intoxicant that caused them to fall asleep. The lotus flowers they had eaten were narcotic in nature and made them forget all about their family and homeland. These men wanted to stay on this land and eat lotus for the rest of their lives. They refused to go home. Desperately, Odysseus and some other men had to carry them back to the ship. Without delay, they set sail and upon waking these men had to be bound to the masts to prevent them from jumping into the sea and swimming back to the shore to consume the lotus flower that they had got so addicted to.

Polyphemus the Cyclops After sailing for many weeks without further adventure, the warriors chanced upon a strange land. Odysseus and a handful of his men went ashore to search the land. A few minutes walk from the ships brought them to the mouth of a gigantic cave. Curious, the warriors entered the cave and found it to be the habitation of some gigantic being. Further on, they found flocks of sheep inside the cave and being hungry, they slaughtered a few of them and feasted on their flesh. Unknown to them, this was the lair of Polyphemus the Cyclops and this land was the home of the gigantic Cyclopes. Returning to his cave, Polyphemus blocked the entrance with a huge rock, as he usually did. Odysseus and his men ran towards the entrance but they were dismayed at the sight that greeted them. Here was a huge rock preventing their escape from a being that was even bigger than the rock. Laying his only eye on the warriors, Polyphemus asked who they were. Without revealing their identity or mission, Odysseus told Polyphemus they were sea-farers who had lost their way and had come ashore looking for food.

Unhappy that his sheep had been killed and eaten by these men, Polyphemus refused them to exit his cave. Everyday he made a meal of two brave warriors, dashing their brains out on the walls of the cave and chewing them raw. Unable to bear this act of cruelty, Odysseus devised a plan to get them out. He had with him a gourd of strong wine and one day he offered it to Polyphemus, who grabbed it and poured it down his throat greedily. The wine made the Cyclops drowsy and within minutes he fell asleep. Odysseus and his remaining men took a red-hot poker from the fire-place and thrust it into the Cyclop's only eye, blinding him. The sleeping giant awoke in shock, howling in pain and bellowing in rage, demanding to know who had done this. Yet again Odysseus presence of mind proved of the very essence and he shouted out that his name was "Nobody". Polyphemus, now on his feet and stumbling around created such a commotion that his fellow Cyclops came running to his lair to see what had happened.

When they stood outside the cave and asked Polyphemus what had happened, the Cyclops said that Nobody had blinded him. The other Cyclopes laughed out loud, called him an idiot and told him there was nothing they could do for "Nobody" had hurt him. The following morning, Odysseus and his men strapped themselves to the belly of the sheep and in this manner they escaped when Polyphemus let his flocks out of his lair to graze. Once outside, the warriors ran to the safety of their ships. Odysseus, however, priding his brilliance, could not resist taunting Polyphemus. The moment they set sail, he shouted out to the Cyclops that it was he, Odysseus, who had blinded him. Enraged and unable to see, Polyphemus threw a massive rock in the direction of the voice. Luckily for Odysseus, it fell short of its target for else his ship would have been smashed. Polyphemus cried out to his father, the sea-god Poseidon, to avenge this ignominy and hereafter Odysseus became a sworn enemy of Poseidon.

The Bags of Aeolus Fleeing the land of the Cyclopes, Odysseus found his ships nearing Aeolia, home of Aeolus, the god of the winds. Aeolus used to blow the wind over the sea and the land. After hearing of Odysseus' journey home, Aeolus gave him a bag full of winds that would guide him home safely. Odysseus set sail the seas once again and spent many sleepless nights guarding the bag until one day, too tired and overcome with fatigue, he fell asleep. Curiosity overcame a couple of his men who had been awaiting the opportunity to grab the bag to see what their leader was guarding with his life. They got their chance the moment Odysseus fell asleep, as they were approaching the shore of Ithaca. Without a minute of hesitation, the two sailors opened the bag. The winds caught in the bag escaped and created a furious storm that drove the ships backwards. Sensing something wrong in the motion of the ship Odysseus awoke with a start only to find himself back at Aeolia.

This time, Aeolus declined to give again the gift of the winds and a heartbroken Odysseus set out once again on the arduous journey back to Ithaca. The Laestrygonians Out of the darkness of night, an island was raising in the distance. This was Telepylos, an island with natural defenses in the form of the cliffs and with only one narrow passage in. Each ship passed into the calm harbor surrounded by cliffs with the exception of Odysseus, who for some reason anchored it in the turbulent waters outside. Two warriors went ashore to explore the island and they came across a girl who took them to her father. Nearing the castle, they saw a gigantic woman who called out to her husband. A giant man, her husband, came running out and snatching up one of the men devoured him alive. The other ran for his life and the entire race of giants that inhabited the land gave chase to him. At the harbor, Odysseus' men ran for cover but the giants smashed their ships with massive rocks and speared them alive. Only Odysseus managed to escape on his ship with some sailors on it since he had anchored it outside the island.

Circe the Enchantress Having barely saved their lives, Odysseus and the men aboard the one surviving ship landed on the island, Aeaea, home to the powerful Circe, enchantress and powerful sorceress. With the help of strong magic and unknown to the warriors, Circe had already envisioned their arrival on her island. Some fellows of Odysseus who had been sent to explore the island, walked into the palace of Circe and saw her sitting on her magnificent throne, surrounded by wild animals who were once men. The beautiful enchantress, with one touch of her stick, turned the mighty warriors into pigs. With the help of god Hermes, Odysseus drank a certain herb that protected him from Circe's magic. When she saw him, the sorceress found her spells to be ineffective and on his demand that his men be turned back into human form, the sorceress agreed but only if Odysseus shared her bed-chamber. Odysseus consented and moreover, he and his men spent a whole year on this island. At the end of that year, Odysseus decided to depart from Aeaea and continue his way home.

Circe, having the ability to predict future, gave him instructions on what to do afterwards. She advised him to go to the Underworld and meet the blind prophet Tiresius to ask him for instructions. The Journey to the Underworld No alive man had ever entered the Underworld. But brave Odysseus decided to do so, in order to continue his journey and reach Ithaca at last! Odysseus and his men made sacrifices to god Hades by the shores of the River Acheron and Odysseus alone took the path to the dark Underworld. Tiresius appeared to Odysseus and the blind prophet told him that in order to get home he had to pass between Scylla and Charybdis, two great monsters. The Sirens Leaving Hades, Odysseus and his men sailed for many days without sight of land. Not before long, though, strange disquieting sounds reached the ears of the men aboard the ship. The sounds tugged at their hearts and made them want to weep with joy. Odysseus at once realized that they were approaching the Sirens that Circe had warned him about.

The sorceress had told him to block every man's ears with wax for if any were to hear the song of the Sirens, he would surely jump off the ship, go close to the Sirens and the winged monsters would kill them. Odysseus did exactly that with his men, but he himself wanted to hear their strange song. He thus ordered his sailors to tie him up to the mast so he could not jump into the sea in an attempt to meet the Sirens. With their ears blocked with wax, the men heard nothing and the ship passed near the Sirens. Suddenly, Odysseus wanted to get free of his bonds and swim towards the Sirens for their song had just become clear and it was very beautiful and captivating. But the ropes were very tight and fortunately he could not untie himself. His fellows could hear neither the Sirens neither the screams of their leader, who was praying them to untie him. As the ship was sailing away from the shore, the song of the Sirens was fading out.

Scylla and Charybdis Following the advice of Tiresius, Odysseus chose the route that would take him on one side close to Scylla, a six-headed monster who had once been a woman and on the other side Charybdis, a violent whirlpool. Tiresius had advised Odysseus to sacrifice six men to Scylla so they might pass through without losing any more men. Approaching the mouth of the strait between Scylla and Charybdis the warriors shrank back in fear for on either side were violent deaths. Only Odysseus was quiet, sad that he would have to lose six brave warriors but he was ready to do so, in order to save the others. As they passed by Scylla, she picked up six men and allowed the rest to pass through safely. Odysseus never forgot the screams of the men he had to sacrifice and to the very end of his days he lamented his betrayal. He had not informed a single warrior of his motive. Then his ship passed from Charibdys but managed to survive.

The Cattle of Helios Weary and tired from the ordeal, Odysseus ordered his ship to weigh anchor at the island of Thrinacia. This island was sacred to the sun god Helios whose cattle grazed freely here. Even though Odysseus had been warned by Tiresius and Circe not to harm any of the cattles, his men defied him and set about slaughtering and feasting on them. Immediately Helios complained to Zeus, vowing to take vengeance by sending the sun down to Hades, never to rise again. Zeus in response sank Odysseus ship with a thunderbolt as it was leaving Thrinacia and destroyed every man aboard with the exception of the valiant leader. Somehow, a floundering Odysseus was swept past Scylla and Charybdis and washed up ashore on an unknown island. Seven years with Calypso The island that Odysseus found himself was Ogygia and it was there where he spent seven years with the nymph Calypso, who found him unconscious on the beach.

She promised him immortality in exchange for his love, but soon Odysseus sensed once again the desire to see Ithaca and his family, his unfortunate wife and his son who would have grown up till then. Even a beautiful and powerful goddess like Calypso couldn't fill this feeling of the unaccomplished that Odysseus was always carrying in to his heart. However, Calypso had fallen in love with him and wouldn't let him go. On the behalf of Zeus, Hermes appeared before Calypso and told her to let Odysseus go. One day finally, on a raft that he built himself, Odysseus set off for Ithaca with a wooden float but once again he was caught in the middle of a storm and shore to another strange land. Meanwhile on Ithaca Telemachus, the son of Odysseus who had just turned twenty, decided to set out in search of his long gone father. His mother had woes of her own. She was constantly plagued by suitors asking for her hand, since ten years had passed from the end of the Trojan War and her husband had not returned. Day after day, she fended off their advances with an ingenious trick.

She told the suitors that she was weaving a burial shroud for Odysseus' father and only when it was complete, would she even think to marry anyone of them. Penelope's trick was to weave the cloth in the daytime and undo it at night, so the suitors were kept waiting indefinitely, until her husband would return. However, a chambermaid betrayed her to the suitors and soon they were back, asking for her hand and the kingdom of Ithaca. Knowing that his mother was successfully keeping her 108 suitors away, Telemachus decided to set out on his quest. Aided by goddess Athena and along with some of his faithful warriors, he went to Sparta to meet Menelaus and ask him if he had any news from his father. Unfortunately, Menelaus knew nothing and Telemachus disappointed returned to Ithaca. The Phaeacians The land of the Phaeacians, which the historians believe is modern Corfu, was where Odysseus found himself after a terrible storm. Nafsica, the local princess, found Odysseus exhausted and naked on the shore and led him to the palace of her father.

While in the court of King Alcinous and Queen Arete, he heard the bard Demodocus sing of the Trojan War. Odysseus was overcome with grief at hearing stories about the war and of the Trojan Horse that had been his invention. It was then that the emotions came crashing down on him and he broke down into tears. The people gathered around him asked who he really was and why the story affected him. It was then that Odysseus revealed his true identity and his struggles to reach Ithaca. After listening to his ordeals, the Phaeacians gave him their fastest ship, the best of their provisions and bid him good luck on his way home. And so it was that the hero finally returned to Ithaca, eager to see his wife Penelope and son Telemachus, from both of whom he had been separated for two whole decades. Finally on Ithaca The arrival of Odysseus on Ithaca went unnoticed and, in the guise of a beggar, he approached the palace. He first met his old servants and his beloved son, Telemachus. From them, he learnt about the suitors that have been bothering Penelope for so long.

Odysseus, still in the form of a beggar, he met his wife, who didn't recognize him. He told her about her husband's bravery and how he had helped in winning the Trojan War. These tails brought tears to her eyes. Calming herself, she approached the suitors who were always hanging around the palace and set them a simple task. Penelope would marry anyone of them who could string Odysseus' bow and shoot an arrow through twelve axe-handles joined together. The suitors pushed and shoved each other to be the first to succeed but little did they know that the task they faced was impossible. Stringing the bow that belonged to Odysseus was not an easy task for it required not brute strength but dexterity. One by one, each suitor tried his luck but to no avail. Finally, Odysseus picked up the bow, stringing it with ease and in one fluid motion letting fly an arrow that pierced all the twelve axe-handles. After that, there was chaos.

Revealing his true identity, Odysseus began massacring the suitors and, aided by Telemachus and the swineherd Eumaeus, they had soon cleared the court of all 108 of them. The suitors were killed and the maid-servants, who had made themselves the pleasure slaves of the suitors, were all hung. When Penelope heard the massacre, she run to the court. Fazed by the sudden spate of events, she refused to believe that this strange beggar was indeed her long lost husband Odysseus, so she set up another test for him. In front of Odysseus, Penelope ordered the palace servants to remove the bed from her bed-chamber to the hall outside. On hearing this, Odysseus bristled with anger and opposed the idea, saying that this bed had been fashioned out of a living oak by his own hand and none, save a god, none in the whole world could move it. Joyful, Penelope rushed to Odysseus and hugged him, with big tears in her eyes, for she was reassured that this man was her beloved husband returned to her.

Only Odysseus knew the secret about their bed and his words were the proof she needed to believe him. The real end This, however, was not the end of Odysseus' journey. Prophet Tiresius had forewarned him that once he had re-asserted himself as King of Ithaca, he should travel inland holding the oar of a ship. Indeed, after a few years, Odysseus crowned Telemachus King of Ithaca and left him and his wife Penelope to travel on the opposite inland. Many days did he wander with the oar in hand seeking for people who would not know what it was but wherever he went, people recognized it as an oar. One day, far inland, opposite the shores of Ithaca, Odysseus came across those people who had never seen the sea and hence did not know what an oar was. There it was that Odysseus finished his life travel and took a local princess for his bride. For many years, he lived amongst these people and it was here that he breathed his last, far from the sea, his family and his beloved Ithaca. Share it!

Odysseus Odysseus See More Odysseus Pictures > Odysseus was a legendary hero in Greek mythology, king of the island of Ithaca and the main protagonist of Homer's epic, the Odyssey. He was also a prominent character in the other surviving Homeric epic, the Iliad. He was the son of Laertes and Anticlea , and is well known as an eloquent speaker, ingenious and cunning. Before the Trojan War started, Odysseus was one of the suitors that wanted to marry Helen , step-daughter of king Tyndareus of Sparta . However, the suitors were many and there didn't seem to be a way to solve who the husband would be. Odysseus told Tyndareus that he would provide a solution if he helped him marry Tyndareus ' niece, Penelope . Tyndareus agreed and Odysseus proposed to draw straws. Before that, though, he made everyone swear an oath that they would all support the husband and wife in any ill fate that they might face in the future. As a result, Menelaus drew the lucky straw, while Odysseus married Penelope .

After Helen 's abduction by Prince Paris of Troy , all suitors were summoned to help Menelaus in his quest to bring her back. Odysseus did not want to join the expedition, for an oracle had informed him that if he participated, it would take him a long time to return home. So, he decided to feign madness by harnessing a donkey and an ox to a plough and sowing salt on a field. Palamedes did not believe that Odysseus was actually mad, so he put Odysseus ' baby boy Telemachus in front of the plough; Odysseus immediately changed course, thus exposing his plan. For this reason, Odysseus always had a grudge against Palamedes since then. After Odysseus ' plan was foiled, they all tried to recruit the hero Achilles , as an oracle said that the Trojan War would be won only if Achilles joined. Before they reached the island of Scyros where Achilles lived, his mother Thetis disguised him as a woman, because of another prophecy that said Achilles would either live a long, peaceful life, or have a glorious death while young.

Odysseus made a plan to find out who Achilles was, among the women; he laid various weapons on a table, and Achilles was the only one who showed real interest in them. Odysseus then sounded a battle horn, and Achilles instinctively picked up a weapon ready to fight. As a result, Achilles joined in. After the Greeks reached Troy and the war started, Odysseus played a particularly influential role as a strategist and advisor. He was the main character who maintained the morale of the Greeks in a high level, and managed to prevent Agamemnon from withdrawing from the war. He also managed to appease Achilles ' rage when Patroclus was slain. However, holding a grudge against Palamedes , it seems that Odysseus played a role in his demise; some versions say that Odysseus made a plan to expose Palamedes as a traitor and was stoned to death. According to another version, Odysseus and Diomedes told Palamedes to descend a well because of a treasure that was supposedly hidden there; when Palamedes reached the bottom of the well, the two men buried him inside.

Odysseus was most famous in the war for his contribution to create the Trojan Horse, a huge wooden horse that was supposed to be a gift to the Trojans by the retreating Greeks. The Trojans accepted the gift joyfully and started celebrating around it. When the night fell and everyone was drunk, the Greek warriors, who had hidden in the hollow body of the horse, revealed themselves and slew the Trojans, winning the war. After the Trojan War , Odysseus made a ten-year journey to reach his home, Ithaca ; his adventures were recounted in the epic Odyssey. On his way home, storms led Odysseus ' ships to the island of the Cyclops Polyphemus , who started eating the crew of the ships. Odysseus managed to trick Polyphemus and along with his companions, blinded the Cyclops . Before they left, though, he did the mistake of revealing his identity to Polyphemus , who then told his father, the god Poseidon ; this had a major impact on the hero 's travel, as the god sent rough seas throughout the journey.

The ships then reached the island of the god of winds, Aeolus , who put all winds except the west wind in a bag and gave the bag to Odysseus . As a result, the west wind blew the ships all the way to Ithaca . However, just before they reached the shore, Odysseus ' companions took the bag of winds from Odysseus , and thinking it contained gold, opened it and released all of the winds. The ships were blown away from the island, back to where they had started. Aeolus did not accept to help them again, and they left. They went to the island of the Laestrygonians, a cannibalistic tribe that ate all of the crew, except that of Odysseus ' ship. They quickly left the island and reached that of the witch Circe . She turned Odysseus ' companions into pigs, but Odysseus , who had been given a magical herb by Hermes , resisted her witchcraft. Circe fell in love with Odysseus and transformed the pigs back into men. After they stayed on the island for one year, they left to continue their voyage.

They reached the western edge of the world, where Odysseus took advice from the spirit of the prophet Teiresias , and later encountered his mother's spirit, who told him that back home, his wife Penelope was being surrounded by potential suitors. They then returned to Circe 's island, who advised them on how to continue; they managed to avoid the Sirens , as well as the monsters Scylla and Charybdis . In the island of Thrinacia, Odysseus disregarded the advice of Teiresias and Circe , and caught the cattle of the sun god Helios . Helios , enraged, demanded that Zeus punish them, or he would make the sun shine in the Underworld. Zeus obliged by causing a shipwreck in which only Odysseus survived. He reached the island of Ogygia, where the witch Calypso kept him captive for seven years, before Hermes intervened and released the hero . Odysseus then reached the island of the Phaeacians (the modern day island of Corfu), who helped him reach his destination.

He reached Ithaca late at night, and he was disguised by Athena as a beggar in order to learn what had happened during his absence. Penelope , his wife, had just announced that she would marry the person who was able to string his husband's bow and then shoot an arrow through twelve axe shafts. She knew that this was impossible to do for everyone except her husband. None of the suitors managed to do it, but Odysseus still in disguise completed the challenge and revealed himself; helped by his son Telemachus , he slew the suitors. Penelope did not believe that it was her husband but instead a god in disguise. To believe him, she asked him to move their bed to another room. Odysseus said that this was impossible, as he had made the bed and knew that one of the legs was a living olive tree. Years later, the son of Odysseus and Circe , Telegonus , reached adulthood and wanted to meet his father. He went to Ithaca , but as he reached the shore, he killed some sheep as he was hungry. Odysseus went and fought with him, not knowing who the other person was.

Odysseus was eventually killed by Telegonus . Telegonus took Penelope and Telemachus to the island of Circe , where she made them immortal. The two sons then married each other's mothers. Odysseus Is also called Ulysses, Ulixes, Olysseus, Oulixeus, Oulixes. Penelope (Greek mythology) - Memidex dictionary/thesaurus Penelope [Greek mythology] the wife of Odysseus, who was beset by suitors when her husband did not return after the fall of Troy. She put them off by saying that she would marry ... (30 of 75 words, pronunciation) oxforddictionaries​.com​/definition​/english​/Penelope Penelope Syllabification: (Pe·nel·o·pe) [Greek mythology] | the wife of Odysseus, who was beset by suitors when her husband did not return after the fall of ...

(23 of 44 words, 3 definitions, pronunciation) Penelope | Greek mythology | Britannica.com Greek mythology Penelope, in Greek mythology , a daughter of Icarius of Sparta and the nymph Periboea and wife of the hero Odysseus . They had one son, Telemachus . Penelope Awakened by Eurycleia (Odysseus’s nurse), oil on canvas by … In a private collection Homer’s Odyssey tells the story of how, during her husband’s long absence after the Trojan War , many chieftains of Ithaca and nearby islands become her suitors. To spare herself their importunities she insists that they wait until she has woven a shroud for Laertes, father of Odysseus. Every night for three years, until one of her maids reveals the secret, she unravels the piece that she has woven by day so that she will not have to give up hope for the return of her beloved husband and remarry. When at length Odysseus does return, she makes him prove his identity and finally accepts him.

Assured at last that it is her husband, Odysseus, who stands before her, Penelope explains her … Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Homer’s account has remained the dominant one. In the ancient world there were variant stories. In one of them, Telegonus, son of Odysseus and Circe , sets forth to find his father but mistakenly kills him. Telegonus returns to his mother’s island with Penelope, whom he marries, and Telemachus, who marries Circe. Telegonus and Penelope have one son, Italus, the eponymous hero of Italy. Learn More in these related articles: 100 Wonderful Greek Mythology Baby Names January 9, 2017 Image: Shutterstock Greek mythology is a body of stories concerning heroes, Gods, and the rituals of the ancient Greeks and forms a part of the religion in ancient Greece. These stories have had an extensive influence on the arts and literature of the Western civilization. The pantheon of Greek deities, heroes, Gods and other figures will give you plenty of inspiration as you look for some names for your baby.

MomJunction brings you 100 Greek mythology names best suited for our modern times, with their meanings. Read on to find the names of Greek Gods, Goddesses, humans, and heroes. Greek Mythology Baby Names For Boys: 1. Apollo: Apollo was the God of music, arts, prophesy, knowledge and enlightenment in Greek mythology. He was the son of Leto and Zeus. 2. Ajax: Sponsored The name Ajax is perfect if you are looking for a strong boy’s name. Ajax was a Greek hero and played an important role in Homer’s Iliad. 3. Ares: Ares was the bloodthirsty Greek God of war. He was a moody and unreliable God.This is one of the another strong Greek mythology boy names. 4. Castor: Castor was the twin brother of Pollux in the Greek mythology. It is said that when he died, his twin brother Pollux appealed to Zeus to let them remain together. They were then transformed into the constellation. 5. Damon: Damon is a God from the Greek mythology, who symbolized trust and loyalty in friendship. He risked his life to stand for his friend. 6.

Dionysius: Dionysus was the God of wine, festivals and party. This name did not appear in the most popular baby name list, since the past ten years , so it will probably make a unique name for your child. 7. Hector: The Greek God, Hector was notable for being the greatest fighter for Troy in the Trojan War. He was the son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba. 8. Hermes: Hermes was the God of trade and travel in the Greek mythology. He was the son of Maia and Zeus. 9. Jason: Jason was a Greek hero famous for his role as the leader of the Argonauts. It is a common name in America. 10. Paris: The name Paris is familiar as a girl’s name but in Greek mythology, it was the name of a boy. Paris was famous for for marrying Helen of Troy, which led to the Trojan War. 11. Perseus: Perseus was a demi-God in the Greek mythology who rescued Andromeda from a sea-monster. He also defeated Medusa. 12. Zeus: Zeus is one of the most popular Greek mythology baby boy names. He was the God of thunder and the sky.

13. Theseus: The name Theseus means ‘to set’. Theseus was the king of Athens in the Greek legend. 14. Thanatos: Thanatos was the Greek God of death. He resided with the with Hades in the underworld. 15. Poseidon: Poseidon was the unruly god of the sea and earthquakes. He was also the brother of Zeus. 16. Proteus: Proteus was the name of a prophetic God of the sea in Greek mythology. The name Proteus means ‘first’. 17. Adonis: Adonis was a young shepherd who was killed while hunting a wild boar in the Greek mythology. The name Adonis means ‘lord’. 18. Adrastos: Adrastos was the name of the king of Argos in the Greek legend. The name Adrastos means, “not inclined to run away”. 19. Aeolus: Aeolus was the Greek God of the wind. He was the son of Helen and the nymph Orseïs. 20. Aeson: Aeson was Jason’s father. His name is derived from the Greek name Aison. 21.

Agamemnon: Agamemnon was the brother of Menelaus, who led the Greek expedition to Troy to recover Helen. His name means ‘very steadfast’. 22. Atlas: Atlas was a Titan, who was punished by Zeus by being forced to support the sky on his shoulders. 23. Achilles: Achilles was the name of a warrior in Greek legend. The name is derived from the Greek word ‘achos’, which means ‘pain’. 24. Argus: Argus is derived from the Greek word Argos, which means ‘shining’. Argus was the man who built the Argo and a man with a hundred eyes. 25. Aristaeus: Aristaeus was the son of Apollo and the mortal Cyrene. He was the God of agriculture and cattle. 26. Bacchus: Bacchus was the other name of the Greek God Dionysus. He was fondly called Bacchus by the Romans. [ Read: Wonderful Names Inspired By Roman Mythology For Your Baby ] 27. Brontes: Brontes was the name of the one of the three Cyclopes. The name Brontes means “thunderous” in Greek.

28. Cephalus: In the Greek legend, Cephalus was a faithful husband who remained loyal to his wife even after being pursued by the Goddess Eos. The name means ‘head’. 29. Cepheus: Cepheus was the king of Ethiopia and the husband of Cassiopeia in the Greek legend. After his death, he was turned into a constellation into a constellation and placed in the sky. 30. Cerberus: Cerberus was the name of the three-headed dog that guarded the entrance to Hades in the Greek mythology. 31. Chryses: Chryses was the father of Chryseis, a woman who was captured by Agamemnon during the Trojan War. It means ‘golden’. 32. Charon: Charon was the operator of the ferry that brought the dead to Hades. The name means ‘fierce brightness’. 33. Daedalus: Daedalus was an Athenian inventor who was banished to Crete by Zeus. He also designed the Labyrinth for King Minos. 34. Damocles: Damocles was a member of the court of Dionysius the Elder, the king of Syracuse.

His name means ‘the people’. 35. Dardanos: Dardanos was the name of Zeus and Electra’s son. Dardanos founded the city of Dardania in Asia Minor. 36. Eros: Eros was the son of Aphrodite, who caused the people to fall in love. His name means ‘love’. 37. Evander: Evander was an Arcadian hero of the Trojan War. He founded the city of Pallantium. Evander means ‘good man’. 38. Glaucus: Glaucus was the name of the Greek sea God . The name means ‘bluish gray’. 39. Helios: Helios was the name of the young Greek sun God who rode across the sky in a chariot pulled by four horses. Helios means ‘sun’. 40. Iacchus: Iacchus was the solemn name of the Greek god Dionysus. It means ‘to shout’. 41. Koios: Koios was the Titan God of intelligence in Greek mythology. It is also spelled as Poios. 42. Kreios: Kreios was the name of a Titan in Greek mythology. It means ‘ram or male sheep’.

43. Leander: Leander was the lover of Hera in Greek mythology. The name Leander means “lion of a man”. 44. Linus: Linus was the son of the God Apollo, who was accidently killed in a contest. Linus means ‘flax’. 45. Lycus: Lycus was the legendary ruler of Thebes. It was also the name of several other characters in Greek mythology. 46. Melanthios: The name Melanthios is derived from the Greek word melas, which means black and anthos, which means flower. 47. Morpheus: Morpheus was the God of dreams in Greek mythology. It means ‘shape’ in Greek. 48. Neoptolemus: Neoptolemus was the name of the son of Achilles. His name means ‘new war’ in Greek. 49. Okeanos: Okeanos was the Titan, who personified the body of water in Greek mythology. The name means ‘a body of water.’ [ Read: Mythological Names Of Baby Boy ] 50. Perseus: Perseus was a hero in the Greek legend.

The name is derived from the Greek word ‘pertho’, which means ‘to destroy’. Greek Mythology Baby Names For Girls: 1. Phoebe: Phoebe was the daughter of Uranus and Gaia. Her name means ‘shining and brilliant’. 2. Rhea: Rhea was the Greek Titan and the mother of Zeus. She represents motherhood and fertility. 3. Selene: Selene was the Greek goddess of the moon. It was one of the top female Greek mythology names in the United States for several years. 4. Penelope: Penelope was the faithful wife of Odysseus. She stayed true and loyal to him even while he was away. Her name symbolizes marriage faithfulness. 5. Iris: Iris was Goddess of the sea and sky in the Greek mythology. She was also the messenger of the Gods. 6. Helen: Helen was the daughter of Leda and Zeus. She was considered the most beautiful woman in the world. 7. Hera: Hera was the queen of heaven and the goddess of marriage. She was Zeus’s wife. 8. Gaia: Gaia was the goddess of Earth and the primordial deities.

She was considered the creator of the earth and the universe. 9. Daphne: Daphne was the daughter of the Greek river God. The name has now risen in popularity over the last several years. 10. Clio: Clio was the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne. She was the Greek muse of history. 11. Astraea: Astraea was the Greek Goddess of justice. This pretty name will suit your baby well. 12. Athena: Athena is a beautiful name for a baby girl. Athena was the Greek goddess of courage, law, wisdom and justice. 13. Calliope: Calliope was the Greek muse of epic poetry. She is believed to be Homer’s muse. She served as an inspiration for the Iliad and the Odyssey. 14. Cassandra: Cassandra was the daughter of the King and Queen of Troy. She was so beautiful that her beauty made Apollo grant her the gift of prophesy. 15. Acantha: Acantha was the nymph loved by Apollo. The name Acantha means ‘thorn, prickle’. 16. Adrasteia: Adrasteia was another name of the Greek Goddess Nemesis.

It is the feminine form of Adrastos. 17. Alcippe: Alcippe was the name of Ares’s daughter in Greek mythology. Her father killed the son of Poseidon when he attempted to rape her. The name Alcippe means ‘mighty’. 18. Anthea: Anthea was an epithet of Greek Goddess Hera. It is a beautiful name meaning ‘flower’. 19. Aphrodite: Aphrodite was the Greek Goddess of love. She was the wife of Hephaestus and the mother of Eros. The name Aphrodite is of Phoenician origin. 20. Atlanta: Atlanta was a fast-footed maiden who refused to marry men who lost to her in the race. She was eventually defeated by Hippomanias, who won the race by tricking her. 21. Briseis: Briseis was the daughter of Briseus in the Greek mythology. She was captured by Achilles during the Trojan War. 22. Danae: Danae was the princess of Argos and another wonderful Greek mythology girl names. She was the mother of Perseus, who came to her in the form of a shower of gold. 23.

Dike: Dike was the Goddess of justice in Greek mythology. She was one of the Horai. The name Dike means ‘justice’. 24. Erato: In Greek mythology, Erato was one of the nine muses of lyric poetry. The name Erato means ‘lovely’ in Greek. 25. Euphrosyne: Euphrosyne was one of the three Graces in Greek mythology. It means ‘mirth and merriment’. 26. Europa: Europa was a Phoenician princess who was abducted and taken to Crete by Zeus. The continent of Europe is named after her. 27. Evadne: Evadne was the wife of Capaneus, who was killed by a lightning bolt. She committed suicide by throwing herself onto his burning body. 28. Harmonia: Harmonia was the daughter of Aphrodite and Ares. She was given by Zeus to Cadmus to be his wife. The name Harmonia means ‘harmony’. 29. Hebe: Hebe was the daughter of Zeus and Hera. She was the Goddess of youth in Greek mythology. Hecate was the goddess associated with tombs, demons, and the underworld.

Her name means “far off”. 31. Hestia: Hestia was the Goddess of the hearth and domestic activity in the Greek mythology. 32. Hippolyta: Hippolyta was the daughter of Ares in the Greek legend. She was also the queen of the Amazon. 33. Ianthe: Ianthe was the name of an ocean nymph in Greek mythology. The name means “violet flower”. 34. Iphigeneia: Iphigeneia was the daughter of King Agamemnon in the Greek myth. She was magically transported to the city of Taurus by her father. 35. Jocasta: Jocasta was the mother and wife of Oedipus in Greek myth. It will make an unusual name for your child. 36. Kallisto: Kallisto was a nymph whom Zeus loved. She was changed into a bear by Hera. She subsequently became the Great Bear constellation. 37. Lachesis: Lachesis was one of the three Fates in Greek mythology. She was the one who decided how long a person had to live. 38.

Larisa: Larisa was the daughter of Pelasgus in the Greek legend. The name was also borne by a 4th-century Greek martyr. 39. Melaina: Melaina was another nymph in Greek mythology. The name Melain sounds magical, doesn’t it? 40. Melete: Melete was one of the original three muses. She was the muse of meditation. Melete means “practice, exercise”. 41. Nyx: Nyx was one of the Greek Goddess of the night. She was the daughter of Khaos. 42. Cassandra: Cassandra was a Trojan princess in Greek myth. She was the daughter of Priam and Hecuba. Her name means, “Shining upon man”. 43. Phaedra: Phaedra was the wife of Theseus and the daughter of Minos in Greek mythology. Her name means ‘bright’. 44. Phaenna: Ghana was the name of one of the three Graces in Greek myth. Her name means ‘shining’. 45. Pistis: Pistis was the personification of trust in Greek mythology. Pistis means ‘trust and faith’. 46.

Tisiphone: Tisiphone was the name of one of the Furies. The name Tisiphone means ‘avenge’. 47. Thalia: Thalia was one of the nine muses. She was the muse of comedy and pastoral poetry. Thalia was also the name of one of the three Graces. 48. Tethys: Tethys was the name of Titan of the sea. She was also the wife of Oceanus. 49. Terpsichore: Terpsichore was one of the nine Muses. She was the Goddess of dance and dramatics. 50. Semele: Semele was one of the many lovers of Zeus. The name sounds traditional, yet exotic Greek names for baby girl. So, have you zeroed in on any name yet? Let us the know the names you liked the most. You can also suggest some Greek mythology baby names and meanings in the comments section. Before you go, take out a fun quiz below ! Recommended Articles: Greek Myth about Odysseus - Windows to the Universe Links Shop Windows to the Universe With Explore the Planets , investigate the planets, their moons, and understand the processes that shape them. By G.

Jeffrey Taylor, Ph.D. See our DVD collection . RSS Feeds The image above represents a replica of the wooden horse made by the Greeks during the war against Troy. It was Odysseus' idea to hide soldiers inside the horse. The horse was offered to the Troyans as a religious gift so that the citizens of Troy could not refuse it. With the horse, the Greeks soldiers could enter the city and win the war. The replica depicted above is conserved in Turkey. Click on image for full size Image courtesy of Corel Corporation. Odysseus The legendary Greek hero, Odysseus was the king of Ithaca, a small island in the Ionian sea, where he lived with his wife Penelope. He was known to Romans as Ulysses . After fighting the war against the city of Troy with the Greeks, he started his journey home. His sailing journey was obstructed by the sea god Poseidon . During his journey he had many incredible adventures, but his renowned intelligence helped him to survive the numerous difficulties, although his crew wasn't so lucky. After ten years of wandering, he finally reached his home. During his long absence, many of his enemies tried to convince his wife Penelope to get married again.

When Odysseus arrived, he disguised himself as a beggar. Only his old dog recognized him. Until that moment, Penelope remained faithful. She had not seen her husband since the beginning of the war of Troy, twenty years before. After so many years, she was presumed to be a widow. Pressured by her suitors, she declared that she would marry only the man who could bend an extremely hard bow that belonged to Odysseus. All suitors attempted this, but only Odysseus succeeded. Because of Odysseus' long journey to reach his home, a NASA space mission has been named after his better known Roman name: The Ulysses mission. Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store! Ulysses Ulysses by Leif Ellingson Ulysses, the Latin equivalent of the Greek Odysseus , was the king of Ithaca, a Greek island. He was married to Penelope and they had a son named Telemachus . He was one of the Greek leaders in the Trojan War.

The Greeks fought the Trojans for ten years, but Ulysses came up with a plan to burn down Troy and save Helen , the wife of Melanos, the Spartan king. He had the Greek army build a wooden horse that he and nineteen other soldiers could fit in. All of the Greek warships left the shores of Troy and left the horse behind. The Trojans thought that it was a gift from the Greeks, so the people of Troy brought it through the gates of the city. Late that night, Ulysses and the nineteen soldiers snuck out of the wooden horse and let the newly arrived Greek army through the gates. The Greeks burned down Troy and saved Helen, but Ulysses still had a long journey ahead of him. Ulysses and his men set sail for Ithaca. After a few weeks of sailing, Ulysses and his men ran out of food. They landed on an island, to look for food and water. They found a whole cave full of food, but they soon found out that the food belonged to a one-eyed giant called a cyclops. Ulysses and his men tricked the cyclops and escaped with the food.

Unfortunately for Ulysses, the cyclops was a son of Neptune , the God of the Sea. Once again, Ulysses' men ran out of food, so they landed on another island. The sailors divided into two groups, Ulysses and some of the crew stayed with the ship, while the others went to look for food. The next morning, one of the "food-searchers" came running bck to the boat. The sailor told Ulysses of a sorceress named Circe who had turned the other crew members into hogs. At once, Ulysses ran with the sailor to Circe's palace, but on the way, Mercury came with a gift from one of the gods. It was a magical flower that would act a shield on Ulysses from Circe 's magic. Ulysses met with Circe. Circe tried to use her magic on him, but it didn't work, so she gave in and turned the back into humans. Plus, she warned Ulysses of the dangers to come. With lots of food, Ulysses and his men left the island. Thanks to Circe, Ulysses overcame the next dangers.

He overcame the dooming song of the Sirens by plugging the ears of he and his crew. The sailors came upon the six-headed monster called Scylla . Though all of his crew were eaten by Scylla, Ulysses escaped, only to be washed ashore by a storm where a princess found him and took him to her father. The king gave Ulysses his fastest ship to use to sail home with. When, Ulysses reached Ithaca, he deceived the men that wanted to marry his wife, and killed them. Ulysses finally reclaimed his throne. Article details:

Question: In Greek Mythology what was the name of Odysseus's wife?
Answer: PENELOPE