Names that survive through the ages

Odysseus would never have known that his name would still be remembered centuries later, yet men of power built sculptures to commemorate his adventures. The Roman Emperor Tiberius had sculptures built that portrayed Odysseus's journey to his homeland Ithaca. We can assume that the Emperor held a man such as Odysseus in the highest regard as he was not only regarded as a skilled warrior but he had a cunning personality (which was curious as this was a characteristic that was frowned upon by many Romans).

A Summary of Odysseus's Journey after the Trojan War

(Note: This is Homers account of Odysseus's journey to Ithaca. It has been geographically proven by noted historians that this voyage was not possible but considering it is regarded as a myth the voyage would have been believed by many in ancient Greece to be true)

1. Odysseus and his men plunder the city of Ismarus, home of the Cicones and are eventually driven back to the sea. 

 2. Zeus sends a storm, which drives Odysseus and his crew to the land of the Lotus-eaters. There, the fruits of the lotus trap his men, as they suddenly have no desire to leave the land. 

3. Having escaped, the crew find themselves facing a new horror, a Cyclops named Polyphemus. He then begins to eat Odysseus’s men but only after conniving and deception does Odysseus manage to defeat Polyphemus and escape. 

4.  They next encounter Aeolus, ruler of the Winds, and he gives Odysseus a bag of wind. His men later think that it is actually a bag of valuables so they open it and are blown of course. 

5. When they finally approach a shore they face the Laestrygonians and most of Odysseus’s men are killed or eaten. Only Odysseus’s ship survives. 

6. Odysseus then encounters a witch named Circe, who turns men into pigs. Having avoided being turned into a pig he then becomes her lover. 

7. Persuaded by his men, he asks Circe’s permission to leave and is later sent to the Underworld to find his way back home by consulting a prophet. 

8. Now wary of the obstacles he must face, Odysseus and his men set off and encounter Scylla and Charybdis as well as the Sirens. 

9. Odysseus’s ship is destroyed and he washes ashore on Calypso’s island where he later becomes her lover. 

10. After many years, he is finally released and sets sail to Ithaca. However, he washes on the shore of the Pheaecians.

11. With the help of Athena, Nausicaa the princess of the Phaeacians clothes Odysseus and invites him to the palace.

12. Odysseus shares his exploits and is given a safe passage home.

13. Dressed as a beggar he journeys to his palace and finds that there are a number of suitors all hoping to win the hand of his wife, Penelope in marriage. 

14. With the help of Athena and his son Telemachus he is able to kill all the suitors and reclaims his home.

A story for the Phaeacians

I can’t believe that I’m sitting at a banquet table and recounting my adventures to the good King Alcinous. I feel like I’m an aiodos (traveling poet). How did this happen you say? I was washed up on shore at the land of the Phaeacians naked, and the princess, Nausicaa saw me and offered to feed and cloth me (only because of Athena, I will have to sacrifice a 1000 bulls to repay her). Well what can I say, afterwards she took me to her father King Alcinous. I was then asked to join him and his people for a feast. So not wanting to refuse the King's offer and free food I joined him and decided to recount my perilous (and unfinished) journey to my homeland, Ithaca. 

--Odysseus

Poseidon's Wrath

Who dares harm a son of Poseidon? Odysseus!! The king of Ithaca has made an enemy out of the Olympian gods. He will pay dearly as my son Polyphemus is now blind. I would understand if another Cyclops killed my son, as violence is natural for them but for Odysseus to blind him, that is despicable.

--Poseidon 

Return to Ithaca

At last, after so many years I have finally reached my destination, my homeland. I will have to tread carefully as I have just discovered that there are a number of suitors staying in my home trying to win the hand of my wife, Penelope. They will pay dearly with their lives, however, I cannot act rashly as I am heavily outnumbered. Therefore, I will the need the assistance of my son, Telemachus as well as the Wisdom Goddess Athena, if I am to stand a chance.

I cannot begin to describe my love towards my wife. I learnt that she resisted marrying one of the suitors for 20 years, a greater feat then I ever accomplished. I have 20 years to make up to her as I was not exactly a model husband. (Hint. Calypso and Circe)

--Odysseus

**Spoiler Alert (This image should give you an idea of what transpired with the suitors)

My dead comrades

I have just finished listening to the prophecy from Tiresias and from what I can understand, my crew and I will have to be extra careful when we embark on our long journey back to Ithaca. Crazy thing!! As I made my way back to the world of the living I encountered countless Greek heroes I fought with at Troy. I was surprised to see Agamemnon in the underworld, as he was the leader of all Greeks. But from what I heard, his wife, Clytemnestra grew mad with rage as he sacrificed their daughter to the goddess, Artemis for safe passage. So it was no surprise that his wife’s lover Aegisthus later punished him for it. Oh no, I must pray to all the gods that my wife spare my life as I have already upset our marriage by taking in a lover. I will have to be careful when I recount my journeys to her (which should not be hard as I have already managed to escape the wrath of a Cyclops with my cunning nature). However, my wife is much sharper and far more intelligent than an uncivilized beast. 

--Odysseus 

Journey to the Underworld

I am truly mad, a sane person would not dare to venture into the Underworld. However, this must be done. If my men and I are to stand a chance when we travel to Ithaca we must consult the prophet, Tiresias.

--Odysseus

More obstacles

I have just finished hearing the possible dangers of my long journey home and it does not sound pleasant. I must first instruct my men to put wax in their ears so that the Sirens do not influence them to abandon our ship. However, I really want to know what all the commotion is about so maybe I’ll have my men bound me to the oars of the ship so that I can still listen to them without jumping off. Next, we will be encountering Scylla and Charybdis, which sounds like a terrible combination, a multi-headed monster and a giant whirlpool. Anyway, I see no hope to prevail against these sea creatures, as Poseidon, the god of the seas is already furious that I blinded his psychotic son, Polyphemus. I must also warn my men to not kill any sacred animals of the gods as I was warned that they would retaliate and that is the last thing I would want to experience. 

I have already accepted the fact the most of the gods want to see my downfall. Why you ask?? I have had the first luck than any other Greek hero, and yes my list includes Heracles. It wasn't bad enough that my men and I reach the land of the lotus eaters but we have to face the Laestrygonians. Did I forget to mention Cyclops? Well they are not exactly a delightful group of species to spend time with considering they are uncivilised monsters.

--Odysseus

550 BC Laconian Black Figure Kylix

Odysseus described the Cyclops as uncivilised as they lacked finesse and fine living. Looking at the image, one of these traits is a result of their unruly behaviour, the abuse of wine. Mortals have never taken advantage of wine as its effects can be disastrous but for beings that are uncivilised, the consequences are not considered when consuming it. They do not know when to stop and as a result they falter. If you consume wine on a regular basis it will lessen one's senses and as a result it is the ideal time for someone to strike. If you don’t believe me please look at the figure and tell me that wine is not harmful. So what is the message here? DO NOT ABUSE THE CONSUMPTION OF WINE!!!

Uncivilized Cyclops

I cannot believe that I’m being held prisoner by a Cyclops. These creatures have no sense of civilisation at all. You would expect a man to treat his guests with hospitality if their ship was destroyed but these creatures are something else. They have already killed a number of my men and the rest are too scared to do anything. But I have a plan, with the help of my guardian Athena; she has provided me with wisdom in order to defeat these uncivil beings. I just hope that these Cyclops are easily manipulated. Thus, wine shall be my answer. 

--Odysseus

A quick stop at Ismarus, land of the Cicones

I am shocked at the behaviour of my men. It is as if they behave like savage pirates killing all the men and abducting the women. I tried to reason with them but they would not listen. I sense that the gods will not accept this kind of behaviour, I just hope they don't make our voyage impossible.

--Odysseus

End of a long war

Finally!!

Could it be true that this meaningless war is finally over? Thank the gods!! I have only dreamt of sailing home but know that the city of Troy has fallen (I'm being modest when I say fallen I mean burnt to the ground) I can finally see my wife and child again. I can only pray that Penelope has not forgotten me or found another man who holds a special place in her heart. Ahh!! What am I thinking of course she still loves me it has been only 10 years since I last saw her, if I was stuck fighting a 20 year war then I would be worried as a woman cannot remain faithful for so long. I must put these thoughts out of my head and just focus on my voyage back home.