Odyssey
Also known as: the Odyssey · Homer's Odyssey · Hom. Od.
- 1The Odyssey is one of two major epics attributed to the poet Homer.
- 2The narrative is organized into 24 books.
- 3The protagonist Odysseus is also known by the Latin name Ulysses.
- 4The story centers on a ten-year journey home following the Trojan War.
The Odyssey is one of two major epics of ancient Greek literature attributed to Homer.
Connections1
contains one of the earliest literary accounts of katabasis
Odysseus travels to the entrance of the underworld in Book XI to seek prophecy from the seer Tiresias, establishing the foundational structure for the katabasis narrative.
The Odyssey is a seminal work of ancient Greek literature attributed to the poet Homer. As one of the oldest surviving texts, it remains a cornerstone of Western storytelling, detailing the arduous ten-year homecoming journey of the king of Ithaca, Odysseus, following the conclusion of the Trojan War.
Odysseus and his soldiers fighting the Cicones —allies of the Trojans— during the sacking of their city. After seizing goods and women, Odysseus is driven back by allies of the Cicones.Wikimedia Commons: File:Odysseus_vecht_met_de_Kikonen_De_werken_van_Odysseus_(serietitel),_RP-P-OB-66.735.jpgA mosaic depicting Odysseus, from the villa of La Olmeda, Pedrosa de la Vega, Spain, late 4th–5th centuries ADWikimedia Commons: File:Villa_Romana_de_La_Olmeda_Mosaicos_romanos_001_Ulises.jpgTerracotta plaque of the Mesopotamian ogre Humbaba, believed to be a possible inspiration for the figure of PolyphemusWikimedia Commons: File:Humbaba_deamon-AO_9034-IMG_0655-black_(cropped).jpg The poem is structured into 24 books and explores themes of endurance, peril, and loyalty. During his decade-long voyage, Odysseus faces numerous supernatural threats and loses his entire crew, leaving him to return home alone. Meanwhile, his wife Penelope and son Telemachus must defend their household against a group of persistent suitors who believe Odysseus has perished, creating a tense domestic conflict that parallels the hero's external struggles.