Odysseus

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A lifesize statue of Odysseus that is located on the island of Ithaca Picture of Odysseus Leaving his Wife to Fight in the Trojan War** (atheism.about.com) (cache.eb.com) -Pronounced __oh-DIS-e-us__ -Was one of Greece's greatest mortal heroes -King of the Greek island of Ithaca -Inventor of the Trojan Horse and hero of Troy -Defeated many Mythological beasts and monsters -Used skill and cleverness rather than brute force to defeat enemies -Had many mistresses, but only loved one woman, his wife Penelope
 * __Key Odysseus Facts__

The Story Of Odysseus by Nick Welsh** Odysseus or in Latin, Ulysses was born the son of Laertes and ruled the Greek island nation of Ithaca. Odysseus was a mortal man, not a blessed hero like many other Greek myths (Achilles, Hercules, etc). He was a prominent figure in the Trojan war and was the hero in Homer's //The Odyssey//. Odysseus, unlike other heroes, did not rely on special powers or brute force commonly found in Greek stories, instead he used cunning and skill in addition to well applied athletic ability to outwit stronger opponents. These qualities helped win him fame during the battle for Troy where he lead his men valiantly into battle. Odysseus is also credited with the idea for the Trojan horse that was used to finally turn the tide during the seige of Troy. While these early victories are very interesting, the real mythology occurs during his 10 year voyage home to his wife.

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/11072-the-odyssey-odysseus-a-different-kind-of-hero-video.htm Watch the one titled **The Odyssey: Polyphemus and the Island of the Cyclops**
 * Video History of Odyessus**

**The Voyage to the Island of the Cyclopes**

After leaving Troy, Odysseus and his crew sailed until they had reached the island of the Cyclopes. The cyclopes were a group of giant, one eyed sheep herders that had lived on the island for ages. Upon arriving at the island, Odyesseus took only one shipful of men and a large jug of wine ashore as an offering. Once ashore, Odyesseus and his men were trapped in a cave by the giant cyclops, Polyphemus. Shortly after entering the cave, the cyclops proceeded to take two of Odysseuse's men, dashed their brains out, and devoured them. Once the cyclops had gone out to herd his sheep, Odyessus had his men create a spear out of the wood that was found in the cavern. Once Polyphemus had returned, Odysseus approached him offering the wine and saying that his name was "Noman". The cyclops drank the wine, and finding it delicious, chugged it all down. After this, Odysseus and his men hefted the tree trunk-sized spear and shoved it in to the eye of Polyphemus, twisting it around and blinded the giant. At this time, the cyclops lept to his feet, screaming "AAAAHH, Noman has blinded me! Help me brothers, for Noma has blinded me!" Upon hearing this, the other Cyclopes decided that Polyphemus had finally lost his mind, and they went back to sleep. While Odysseus was escaping on his ship he yelled back at the blinded Cyclops, "I am Odysseus, I have blinded you, I am the Sacker of Cities, the Champion of Troy and The King of Ithaca!" Upon hearing this, Polythemus calls upon his father, Poseidon, God of the Seas, to curse Odysseus. This curse of the seas on which Odysseus sails, haunts him for years to come. (z.about.com)
 * Odysseus blinds Polyphemus with a spear made from a tree trunk.**
 * The Sirens**

After the victory over the cyclops, Odysseus and his crew sailed to the island of the witch Circe. Once there, Odysseus told her of his journeys and inquired as how to get home. Circe, who was very fond of Odysseus, told him that he would first need to get past the Sirens. This beings have the power to lure sailers to them with thier voices, and they would laugh as many a ship crashed while seeking out the source of the melody. Odysseus was told to have his men put wax in their ears and to tie him to the mast of their ship. Once the ship approached the rocks where the Sirens dwelled, Odysseus signed to his crew, begging them to untie him. However, they refused to listen. Once Odysseus gave the sign that they had past the radius of the Sirens influence, his crew untied him and they continued on their voyage.

(ancienthistory.about.com) After passing the Sirens the next land he would make was Thrinacia, an island were the cattle of Helios, the God of the Sun, who were tended by his daughters Lampetia and Phaethusa. It is here on Thrinacia were Odysseuse's crew would make their last, and deadliest mistake. Circe had also warned them of the danger posed by killing any of the Sun gods cattle. However, inclement weather stranded the crew on the island for over a month, and soon they found they had run out of supplies. One fateful day however, when Odysseus was off gathering firewood, the men disobeyed his orders and killed and ate many for the Sun God's cattle. When Odysseus returned, he was overtaken with anger and fear. He then order his men to escape the island, however once they were back at sea a huge storm blew they into the rocks, killing everyone except Odysseus.
 * Odysseus defeating the Sirens, you can see he is strapped to the main mast.**
 * Herd of the Sun God Heilos**

Odysseus washed ashore on the Island of the Nymph Calypso days after his ship was reduced to splinters. Calypso greeted him, cared for him and eventually fell in love with him. Howeveer, her love was unfortunatly, one-sided. Odysseus longed to return home to his beautiful wife Penelope and didn't want for her to worry. Calypso even offered Odysseus immortality for his hand in marriage, but he refused. Calypso kept Odysseus on her island for 7 years before Jupiter ordered her to let Odysseus leave. Calypso agreed, though reluctantly, and even provided Odysseus a raft and provisions for his journey. Finally after 10 long years, Odysseus would be going home.
 * Calypso**

(kimtelaswelcome.files.wordpress.com) Odysseus and Penelope had not enjoyed their marriage more than a year when it was interrupted by the Trojan War. During Odysseuse's long absence, and when it was doubtful whether he still lived, and highly improbable that he would ever return, Penelope was beset by numerous suitors, who all refused to stop bothering her until she chose one of them as her husband. Once Odysseus had learned of this he knew that he would need to be careful as to not give away his identity, so he begged Athena the Goddess of wisdom to disguse him. She then disgued him as a lowly beggar and he traveled to his home to seek out Penelope. Upon arriving at his home, he killed or drovee away all of the suitors and revealed to his wife and son his true identity. Odysseus and Penelope then lived out the rest of their days together, in happiness. (fromoldbooks.org)
 * Odysseus rejects the love of Calypso**
 * Odysseus and Penelope**
 * Odysseus killing the Suitors and returning to his wife, Penelope.**

**Source Citation ** z.about.com/d/ancienthistory/1/0/s/E/OdysseusSirens.gif&imgrefurl=http://ancienthistory.about.com/b/2005/11/12/book-a-minute-odyssey.htm&usg= __zHgJYTAjC0fBWeL_DRmsIKz_jFs=&h=411&w=567&sz=88&hl=en&start=1&um=1&>.__ atheism.about.com. __ 2009. 28 January 2009 . __Corp., LoveToKnow__. __2020site.__ 2002. 29 Jan 2009 . __ fromoldbooks.org. __ 28 January 2009 . __ kimtelaswelcome.files.wordpress.com. __ 28 January 2009 . __ Pantheon.org. __ 31 October 2005. 28 January 2009 . __z.about.com. __  2009. 28 January 2009 <http://z.about.com/d/ancienthistory/1/0/Q/N/cyclops_Odysseus.jpg >.