Odysseus

Crafty Odysseus famed for his role in the Trojan War as well as in the eponymous Homeric epic -- Odyssey.

Odysseus (Ulixes/Ulysses) was the son of Laertes and Anticlea (the daughter of Autolycus, who was the son of Hermes), the husband of Penelope (usually thought of as inordinately faithful) and father of Telemachus. Odysseus was also king of Ithaca, a favorite of Athena, and one of the few Greeks to return home safely from Troy and the Trojan War -- even if it took a while.

Odysseus Resources • Odyssey Study Guide • Odyssey I: A Goddess Intervenes • Odyssey 2 feature • Odyssey XI: Nekuia • Armand Assante's portrayal of Odysseus • Names and Places in Odyssey I

Related Resources • Hermes feature • A Goddess for Men • Heroic Behavior • Homeric Questions • Penelope • Aeolus • Ajax • Pilleus • Phaeces • Autolycus

Odysseus fought for ten years in the Trojan War before coming up with the idea of the wooden horse -- just one example of why "wily" or "crafty" is attached to his name.

Odysseus incurred the wrath of Poseidon for blinding Poseidon's Cyclops son Polyphemus. In retaliation, it took Odysseus another decade before he could arrive home barely in time to drive out Penelope's suitors. The Odyssey covers a decade's worth of the adventures of Odysseus and his crew on their return to Ithaca from the Trojan War.

Pronunciation: o-dis'-syoos • (noun)

Also Known As: Ulysses

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Also see: Major People in Ancient History
Odysseus graphic courtesy of ArtToday

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