In the spiritual sense Odysseus is a hero, because he remains faithful and loyal to his wife and household. We find out through the Odyssey
Odyssey
The Odyssey is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. It is, in part, a sequel to the Iliad, the other Homeric epic. The Odyssey is fundamental to the modern Western canon; it is the second-oldest extant work of Western literature, while the Iliad is the oldest. Sc…
Why is Odysseus the hero of the war?
Odysseus is proclaimed a hero because of his role in designing the entire plan, and this helps him on his journey home, because he is well known to be a brave, good man. Click to see full answer. Also to know is, why was Odysseus the hero of the war?
What did Odysseus do to the Trojans?
That night, after most of Troy had been drinking and celebrating the war that they thought they had won, Odysseus and his soldiers crept out of the horse and opened the gates of Troy to let the Achaian army in. They set fires throughout the city, massacred the Trojans, and looted the city.
What is the story of Odysseus and the Trojan Horse?
The Greek Myth of Odysseus and the Trojan Horse. One of the earliest stories told about Odysseus had to do with him and the legendary Trojan Horse. It was mentioned Homer’s Odyssey as well as from several other horses.
What did Odysseus contribute to the war effort of Greece?
Odysseus returns to the Argive camp with Philoctetes and his arrows. Perhaps Odysseus' most famous contribution to the Greek war effort is devising the strategem of the Trojan Horse, which allows the Greek army to sneak into Troy under cover of darkness. It is built by Epeius and filled with Greek warriors, led by Odysseus.
Why was Odysseus the hero of the war?
Strengths. Odysseus was a war hero, fighting against the Trojans as depicted in The Iliad. He led the raid once inside the walls of Troy and is also credited with the idea of the Trojan Horse. On his way home from war, Odysseus is taken on a long journey encountering mythical creatures and gods.
How is Odysseus a hero in the Trojan War?
Odysseus is proclaimed a hero because of his role in designing the entire plan, and this helps him on his journey home, because he is well known to be a brave, good man.
Why was Odysseus so important in the Trojan War?
Odysseus :: The Trickster Hero He played a crucial part during the Trojan War – both as a strategist and as a warrior – eventually coming up with the famous stratagem which decided the outcome of the bloody conflict: the Trojan Horse.
Who was the Trojan War hero?
Achilles. The most famous hero of them all. Son of King Peleus and Thetis, a sea nymph; father of Neoptolemus. Lead the Myrmidom contingent during the Siege of Troy, bringing with him 50 ships.
How did Odysseus make a difference in the Trojan War?
All alone, Odysseus staves off the Trojans, even after Socus wounds the flesh on his ribs, until at last Menelaus and Ajax come to his aid. However much he helps the Greeks in battle, tenfold he helps the Greeks and himself with his cunning.
Why is Odysseus important?
Odysseus was a Greek hero famed for his intellect and cunning. He created the plan to sack the city of Troy using a giant hollow horse. He is also famous for his long odyssey, or journey, trying to return home after the events of the Trojan War. Odysseus is one of the most well-known of the early Greek heroes.
Was Odysseus a good leader?
The abundance of leadership protects Odysseus and his crew and allows Odysseus to return to Ithaca; therefore, Odysseus represents an ideal leader because he conveys an immense amount of compassion, cunning intelligence, and extensive bravery.
What is Odysseus contribution that led to the Spartans win over the Trojans?
Two important examples of his cleverness include his invention of the Trojan horse, which ended a bloody ten-year war in a single night, and his escape from the blinded Polyphemus, where he and his men hide underneath the giant's sheep as they are put out to pasture.
Who is the strongest hero in Greek mythology?
Heroes in Greek MythologyAchilles was the strongest and most fearless warrior in the Greek war against the Trojans. ... Jason was the leader of the Argonauts, the 50 heroes who sailed in search of the Golden Fleece.More items...•
Who was the greatest soldier of Troy?
HectorIn Greek history and Roman history, Hector (/ˈhɛktər/; Ἕκτωρ, Hektōr, pronounced [héktɔːr]) was a Trojan prince and the greatest warrior for Troy in the Trojan War. He led the Trojans and their allies in the defence of Troy, killing countless Greek warriors.
Who was Odysseus in the War of Troy?
Odysseus was an influential character in the War of Troy for his deeds, his ideas, and his leadership, along with the likes of Achilles, Menelaus, and Agamemnon. Odysseus’ return home after the war was the beginning of one of ancient Greece’s most widespread stories.
Why did Odysseus try to avoid participating in the war?
Odysseus tried to avoid participating in the war because he was happy in Ithaca with his wife and his newborn baby. He tried to fake madness so that he could refuse assisting King Menelaus without offending him. For this, Odysseus started plowing the beach with an ox and donkey yoked. Menelaus’ emissary, however, would not desist, and he put Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, in his way. The king had to stop his plowing in order not to hurt his son, and the ruse was discovered. Having no choice, Odysseus gathered his men, joined the invasive forces of King Menelaus, and headed into the war.
Who Was Odysseus?
Odysseus was most likely the only son of King Laertes of Ithaca and his wife, Anticlea. After his father’s death, he inherited the throne of Ithaca. Odysseus married Penelope of Sparta, and together they had one son, Telemachus, and reigned over Ithaca. Odysseus was a fantastic king and a mighty warrior.
Why did Odysseus make his men sharpen a spike?
To escape from the cave, Odysseus made his men sharpen a spike so that they could attack the cyclops in his single eye. When Polyphemus returned, Odysseus used his superb oratory skills and talked to Polyphemus for long hours while the cyclops drank wine. Polyphemus ended up drunk, and Odysseus’ men used this chance to attack his eye with the spike, thus blinding him.
How many children does Odysseus have?
Odysseus has two children – Telemachus and Telegonus.
Why did Odysseus recruit Achilles?
Odysseus, however, convinced Achilles otherwise, saying that if he fought, he would become famous and great songs and stories would always be told about him due to the magnitude of the war they were about to fight in. Achilles accepted Odysseus’ proposal, and accompanied by the Myrmidons of Thessaly, went to war with the Greeks.
What did Odysseus do to help the Greeks?
Odysseus, with Athena ’s influence, had the idea of building a hollow wooden horse with enough room to hide a group of soldiers inside. That way, if they managed to get the horse inside the walls of the city, the hidden soldiers could go out at night and attack. Odysseus had a group of craftsmen dismantle ships and build the horse, and several soldiers hid inside.
Name, etymology, and epithets
The form Ὀδυσ (σ)εύς Odys (s)eus is used starting in the epic period and through the classical period, but various other forms are also found. In vase inscriptions, we find the variants Oliseus ( Ὀλισεύς ), Olyseus ( Ὀλυσεύς ), Olysseus ( Ὀλυσσεύς ), Olyteus ( Ὀλυτεύς ), Olytteus ( Ὀλυττεύς) and Ōlysseus ( Ὠλυσσεύς ).
Genealogy
Relatively little is given of Odysseus' background other than that according to Pseudo-Apollodorus, his paternal grandfather or step-grandfather is Arcesius, son of Cephalus and grandson of Aeolus, while his maternal grandfather is the thief Autolycus, son of Hermes and Chione. Hence, Odysseus was the great-grandson of the Olympian god Hermes.
Before the Trojan War
The majority of sources for Odysseus' pre-war exploits—principally the mythographers Pseudo-Apollodorus and Hyginus —postdate Homer by many centuries. Two stories in particular are well known:
During the Trojan War
Odysseus is one of the most influential Greek champions during the Trojan War. Along with Nestor and Idomeneus he is one of the most trusted counsellors and advisors. He always champions the Achaean cause, especially when others question Agamemnon's command, as in one instance when Thersites speaks against him.
Journey home to Ithaca
Odysseus and Polyphemus (1896) by Arnold Böcklin: Odysseus and his crew escape the Cyclops Polyphemus.
Altars
Strabo writes that on Meninx ( Ancient Greek: Μῆνιγξ) island, modern Djerba at Tunisia, there was an altar of the Odysseus.
Why did the Greeks love Odysseus?
The Greeks felt a special affection for Odysseus because he reflected a number of Greek qualities. A wanderer living by his wits, taking part in a great national war, traveling far and wide, meeting emergencies with a cool head, and longing for his native home, Odysseus is a recognizable Greek type.
How did Odysseus escape?
Finally Odysseus devised a plan of escape. He and his remaining men blinded the giant in a drunken sleep with a sharpened pole. Then as Polyphemus was letting his sheep out of the cave to pasture, counting each one by touch, Odysseus and his men got out by clinging to the underbellies of the sheep.
What weapons did Odysseus bring to the suitors?
The suitors sought their weapons and began to put up some resistance, but when Odysseus ran out of arrows Telemachus brought him armor, spears, and swords. The father and son, who had stationed themselves in the doorway, cut the suitors down as they tried to escape. And at last the suitors were all dead.
What did Odysseus say to Polyphemus?
Returning to their ship, Odysseus jeered at Polyphemus, telling him that he, Odysseus, had blinded him. In a rage the giant hurled two great boulders at the ship that nearly swamped it. Then Polyphemus prayed to his father Poseidon to cause Odysseus as much trouble as possible.
How long did Odysseus wander?
Of the Greeks who made it back to their homes Odysseus was fated to wander the longest — a full ten years — and he knew it. Among the Trojan women Hecuba fell to him, an old harridan now who could not forgive the way Odysseus had thrown her grandson Astyanax from the walls of Troy. Odysseus' ships were hit by the storm raised by Athena ...
What cliff did Odysseus pass through?
In trying to avoid the maelstrom Odysseus came too close to the cliff of the monster Scylla, who seized six of Odysseus' sailors.
Where did Odysseus and his party go to escape?
Unwittingly Odysseus and a scouting party feasted in the cave of Polyphemus, a son of Poseidon. The Cyclops returned, shut the Greeks in with a huge boulder, and ate two men apiece at each meal. Finally Odysseus devised a plan of escape. He and his remaining men blinded the giant in a drunken sleep with a sharpened pole. Then as Polyphemus was letting his sheep out of the cave to pasture, counting each one by touch, Odysseus and his men got out by clinging to the underbellies of the sheep. Returning to their ship, Odysseus jeered at Polyphemus, telling him that he, Odysseus, had blinded him. In a rage the giant hurled two great boulders at the ship that nearly swamped it. Then Polyphemus prayed to his father Poseidon to cause Odysseus as much trouble as possible.
What was Odysseus' role in the Trojan War?
He played a crucial part during the Trojan War – both as a strategist and as a warrior – eventually coming up with the famous stratagem which decided the outcome of the bloody conflict: the Trojan Horse.
Who was Odysseus?
Odysseus was a legendary hero in Greek mythology, king of the island of Ithaca and the main protagonist of Homer's epic, the “Odyssey.” The son of Laertes and Anticlea, Odysseus was well known among the Greeks as a most eloquent speaker, an ingenious and cunning trickster.
What happened to Odysseus after he married Penelope?
After marrying Penelope, Odysseus took her to Ithaca where the couple lived a happy life , made even happier after the birth of their only son, Telemachus. However, while the boy was still a baby, Helen was abducted by Prince Paris of Troy. Calling upon the oath sworn by Helen ’s suitors, Menelaus summoned all of them to help him in his quest to bring her back. Ironically – since he had been the one to propose the oath in the first place – Odysseus did not want to join the expedition; and he had a good reason for it: the seer Halitherses 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 plow and sowing salt on a field. Palamedes – who was the man sent to recruit Odysseus from Ithaca – did not believe the hero one bit; in order to test his sanity, he put Telemachus in front of the plow. Odysseus immediately changed course, thus exposing his plan. Odysseus never forgave Palamedes for this and spend many an hour planning his revenge.
How did Palamedes feign madness?
So, he decided to feign madness by harnessing a donkey and an ox to a plow and sowing salt on a field. Palamedes – who was the man sent to recruit Odysseus from Ithaca – did not believe the hero one bit; in order to test his sanity, he put Telemachus in front of the plow.
How long did Odysseus stay in Ithaca?
After numerous memorable adventures – Circe, the Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis, the Laestrygonians, Calypso – Odysseus finally managed to reach Ithaca, ten years after leaving Troy and twenty after joining the Trojan expedition. There, he reunited with Telemachus and Penelope and, after killing all of his wife’s Suitors, reclaimed his throne.
How many men did Odysseus eat?
Enticed by some resources, Odysseus and twelve of his men end up entrapped in the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus, who, after blocking the entrance of the cave with a giant boulder, starts eating them, two by two. The monster manages to devour six of Odysseus ’ men before the hero devises a life-saving trick.
Why did Odysseus leave the battlefield?
Odysseus was also the leader of the three-man expedition sent to appease Achilles who, enraged at what he had perceived as unfair treatment from Agamemnon, decided to leave the battlefield. However, this doesn’t mean that Odysseus didn’t prove his worth as a warrior as well.
What is the myth of Odysseus and the Trojan Horse?
Comments Off on The Greek Myth of Odysseus and the Trojan Horse. One of the earliest stories told about Odysseus had to do with him and the legendary Trojan Horse. It was mentioned Homer’s Odyssey as well as from several other horses. Back in Ancient Greece, oral storytelling was a part of the culture and it is possible ...
Who forced Odysseus to join the war?
King Menelaus forced him to join the war with the rest of the military leaders. After ten long years of camping outside the walls of Troy, Odysseus had an idea. He was known for not only being a strong military leader, but for being clever, as well.
What was the beginning of the Trojan War?
The Beginning of the Trojan War. Hermes, the messenger god, discussed three stories related to Odysseus. The first of these stories told the tale of the Trojan Horse, but it started with the Trojan War itself. In general, all three of the stories related to Odysseus’s role at the end of the war but the most famous of these is the story ...
Why did Zeus give the Golden Apple to Paris?
According to myth, the Trojan War began when Zeus was given a golden apple, which he was to bestow on the goddess who was the most beautiful. Zeus felt uncomfortable with this responsbile so he gave the responsibility to Paris, the prince of Troy. Paris was to judge between Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena in order to determine which ...
Why did Paris decide to give Aphrodite the apple?
Paris was to judge between Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena in order to determine which of the goddesses was the lovliest. Aphrodite wanted to win, so she promised Paris that if he chose her, she would make Helen, the queen of Sparta, fall in love with him. He agrees and gives Aphrodite the apple.
What does the trojan horse mean?
Today, the phrase “Trojan Horse” is defined as, “Someone or something that is used to hide what is true or real in order to trick or harm an enemy.”. This meaning comes from the original story from Greek mythology.
Who defeated the Trojans?
The Trojans fell for it. They brought the statue inside the walls of Troy where the soldiers were waiting inside. When they exited the horse, they let in the rest of the soldiers, thus defeating the Trojans and ending the war. Although Odysseus was reluctant to fight in the war, it was his idea that eventually enabled the Spartan’s victory.
What was Odysseus' idea for the horse?
Odysseus suggested constructing a great wooden horse with a hollow belly that would hold many warriors. In the darkness of night, the horse was taken to the gates of Troy.
Why did Odysseus pull the horse inside the gates of Troy?
These lies convinced the Trojans to pull the gigantic horse inside the gates to honor Athena. That night, after most of Troy had been drinking and celebrating the war that they thought they had won, Odysseus and his soldiers crept out of the horse and opened the gates of Troy to let the Achaian army in.
Who conceived the plan for the Achaians to get inside the walled city of Troy?
Yes, it was Odysseus who conceived a plan for the Achaians (Greeks) to get inside the walled city of Troy. Troy was ruled by King Priam, whose son Paris kidnapp. Was Odysseus the one who planned the Trojan horse, in the Trojan War?
How is Odysseus a hero in the Odyssey?
We find out through the Odyssey that Odysseus was the man that saved the Greeks in the Trojan War and helped them win this terrible war. He came up with the idea of the Trojan horse.
Why isn’t Odysseus a hero?
Odysseus is not a hero based on the standards of merciful, selfless, and gentle because of his actions of sacrificing his men, killing the suitors and being ruthless throughout the Odyssey. Along with many others qualities these three are helpful and necessary in a hero.
What does Poseidon hate?
In the epic poem the Odyssey, Poseidon hated the Greek hero Odysseus for blinding Polyphemus. In some myths, Poseidon was also the father of Theseus, a mortal hero and great king of Athens.
Who did Athena love?
Athená a Greek goddess in the real fact never fell in love but there is anotther story, once Athena was checking all her armery because she was the goddess of war. Her father Zeus wanted her to married a god. Athena refused and told her father she would never get married.
Why is Odysseus considered an epic hero?
Odysseus is considered an epic hero for his role as King of Ithaca, his participation in the war, and his journey home. A hero has some type of superhuman ability, such as intelligence, physical strength, or bravery: Odysseus was known for his ability to think himself out of tough situations.
Is Odysseus a hero or anti hero?
However, Odysseus is not quite the glorious soldier that people often see him as. Odysseus shows that he is an antihero through his pride, disloyalty, and bloodthirstiness.
Who Was Odysseus?
Odysseus in The War of Troy
- Odysseus was an influential character in the War of Troy for his deeds, his ideas, and his leadership, along with the likes of Achilles, Menelaus, and Agamemnon. Odysseus’ return home after the war was the beginning of one of ancient Greece’s most widespread stories. The War of Troy is one of Ancient Greece’s most recorded events. This conflict ori...
Odysseus’ Return Home
- Odysseus is best known as the hero of Homer’s Odyssey, an epic that describes the many encounters and trials Odysseus and his men faced on their return to Ithaca. The hero would visit many ports and many lands in which he or his men would suffer various calamities.
Odysseus’ Homecoming
- Ithaca had long forgotten Odysseus since it had been many years since he had last been there and many believed him to be dead. Only Penelope had remained convinced that her husband would return. In the absence of the king, many suitors tried to marry her and claim the throne. Penelope’s one hundred and eight suitors lived in the palace and courted the queen all day long. …
The Death of Odysseus
- Not much is known of Odysseus’ life after he regains his throne in Ithaca. Numerous accounts exist, but they often contradict each other, making it difficult to pick one narrative. In some accounts, Odysseus and Penelope live happily together and continue to rule over Ithaca. In others, Penelope is unfaithful to Odysseus which prompts him to either leave or to kill her. He then goe…
The Influence of Odysseus on Modern Culture
- Odysseus has influenced literature and modern culture in many ways and is one of the most recurring characters in Western culture. His wanderings have influenced many books including James Joyce’s Ulysses, Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, Eyvind Johnson’s Return to Ithaca, Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiadand many more. His story has also been the central focus of …
in Brief
- Odysseus’ story is one of the most colorful and interesting myths in Greek mythology, that has inspired literature and culture in more ways than one. Famous for his courage, bravery and resilience, his adventures are among the best known of Greek mythology. His predominant role in the Trojan War led to the victory of the Greeks, and his disastrous return home was the source o…
Overview
Odysseus , also known by the Latin variant Ulysses (/juːˈlɪsiːz/ yoo-LISS-eez, UK also /ˈjuːlɪsiːz/ YOO-liss-eez; Latin: Ulysses, Ulixes), is a legendary Greek king of Ithaca and the hero of Homer's epic poem the Odyssey. Odysseus also plays a key role in Homer's Iliad and other works in that same epic cycle.
Son of Laërtes and Anticlea, husband of Penelope, and father of Telemachus an…
During the Trojan War
Odysseus is one of the most influential Greek champions during the Trojan War. Along with Nestor and Idomeneus he is one of the most trusted counsellors and advisors. He always champions the Achaean cause, especially when others question Agamemnon's command, as in one instance when Thersites speaks against him. When Agamemnon, to test the morale of the Achaeans, announce…
Name, etymology, and epithets
The form Ὀδυσ(σ)εύς Odys(s)eus is used starting in the epic period and through the classical period, but various other forms are also found. In vase inscriptions, we find the variants Oliseus (Ὀλισεύς), Olyseus (Ὀλυσεύς), Olysseus (Ὀλυσσεύς), Olyteus (Ὀλυτεύς), Olytteus (Ὀλυττεύς) and Ōlysseus (Ὠλυσσεύς). The form Oulixēs (Οὐλίξης) is attested in an early source in Magna Graecia (Ibycus, according to Diomedes Grammaticus), while the Greek grammarian Aelius Herodianus ha…
Genealogy
Relatively little is given of Odysseus' background other than that according to Pseudo-Apollodorus, his paternal grandfather or step-grandfather is Arcesius, son of Cephalus and grandson of Aeolus, while his maternal grandfather is the thief Autolycus, son of Hermes and Chione. Hence, Odysseus was the great-grandson of the Olympian god Hermes.
According to the Iliad and Odyssey, his father is Laertes and his mother Anticlea, although there w…
Before the Trojan War
The majority of sources for Odysseus' pre-war exploits—principally the mythographers Pseudo-Apollodorus and Hyginus—postdate Homer by many centuries. Two stories in particular are well known:
When Helen of Troy is abducted, Menelaus calls upon the other suitors to honour their oaths and help him to retrieve her, an attempt that leads to the Trojan War. Odysseus tries to avoid it by fei…
Journey home to Ithaca
Odysseus is probably best known as the eponymous hero of the Odyssey. This epic describes his travails, which lasted for 10 years, as he tries to return home after the Trojan War and reassert his place as rightful king of Ithaca.
On the way home from Troy, after a raid on Ismarus in the land of the Cicones, he and his twelve ships are driven off course by storms. They visit the lethargic Lo…
Other stories
Odysseus is one of the most recurrent characters in Western culture.
According to some late sources, most of them purely genealogical, Odysseus had many other children besides Telemachus. Most such genealogies aimed to link Odysseus with the foundation of many Italic cities. The most famous being:
• with Penelope: Poliporthes (born after Odysseus' return from Troy)
Altars - Islands - Cities
Strabo writes that on Meninx (Ancient Greek: Μῆνιγξ) island, modern Djerba at Tunisia, there was an altar of the Odysseus.
Pliny the Elder writes that in Italy there were some small islands (modern Torricella, Praca, Brace and other rocks) which were called Ithacesiae because of a watchtower that Odysseus built there.
According to ancient Greek tradition, Odysseus founded a city in Iberia which was called Odyssei…