Odysseus
The story of Odysseus is long believed to be completely mythological and fictional in its origins. But recent archeological evidence supporting the possibility of an actual Troy and therefore a Trojan War, has brought the idea of Odysseus out of the realm of mythology and back into the world of legend. There is currently little or no evidence that Odysseus was a living person at that ancient point in history, more evidence maybe uncovered. For the purposes of this site, I am going to go with the premise that Odysseus could have been a real person.., but his story has been “slightly elaborated on”.
Odysseus is one of the epic heroes of Greek mythology and legend. He first appears in Greek literature in Homer’s Odyssey and Illiad. Although Odysseus fought in the Trojan war, his main story is about the adventures he had on his return trip from the war, instead of his deeds during the war.
Odysseus was wary of joining the war to begin with. He was warned of the struggles he would face on his return voyage, but duty called and he responded. His epic deals with the odd circumstances, he faced during his 10 year return trip. He has run-ins with giant cyclops, sea sirens – creatures of feminine beauty that inhabit the seas and lure sailors to their deaths – and many other mythological creatures on his sojourn home.
 Odysseus and the Sirens |
When he finally makes it back, he finds that his wife, Penelope, distraught with the idea that he was killed in battle or during his return trip, is being constantly hounded by men looking to marry her. She is about to give in… When with the help of Athena, a Greek Goddess, Odysseus regains his rightful place as king and husband and frees his wife by killing the suitors and eventually finds peace.
Odysseus is said to be the King of Ithaca. His lineage is also part of the equation of whether he really existed. His father, Laertes, may have been a real person as well. Until evidence is unearthed to verify that there was once an actual Odysseus, though, he will have to remain in the realm of myth and legend.
For more information on Odysseus, please check out these links:
- Odysseus Wiki
- Pantheon.org
- Timeless Myths
- Read the Odyssey at Project Gutenburg
- Read the Iliad at Project Gutenburg
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1974 M.I. Finley ~ THE WORLD OF ODYSSEUS US $4.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 20:06:33 PST | Watch this Item |
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