Characters
The man who is the king of Ithaca and also devised the Trojan Horse plan
Who is Odysseus?
This island is the home of Odysseus and his ultimate destination
What is Ithaca?
During the 8th century BCE, the Greek world experienced a rise in city-states known as these, which included regions like Ithaca.
What are poleis?
This god of the sea is angered by Odysseus and delays his return home.
Who is Posideon?
This Greek cultural value emphasizes hospitality and generosity toward guests, as shown by the Phaeacians.
What is Xenia?
The nymph who detained Odysseus for many years
Who is Calypso?
Odysseus' men are lured to their doom by these singers’ irresistible melodies.
What is the island of the Sirens?
The Homeric epics, including The Odyssey, were composed during a time when this political structure was dominant in Greece.
What is a monarchy or early aristocracy?
This goddess of wisdom and war frequently assists Odysseus on his journey and helps aid Telemachus.
Who is Athena?
The act of honoring the gods with sacrifices, as Odysseus does to Poseidon, is an example of this cultural practice.
What is offering libations or sacrifices?
This loyal swineherd helps Odysseus reclaim his throne.
Who is Eumaeus?
Odysseus and his crew encounter the witch Circe on this island.
What is Aeaea?
In ancient Ithaca, trade flourished during the Bronze Age due to this sea-based civilization that dominated the Mediterranean.
What is the Mycenaean civilization?
This god of the sun demands vengeance after Odysseus’ men slaughter his sacred cattle.
Who is Helios?
This storytelling tradition, demonstrated by Homer’s work, involves passing down tales through spoken word.
What is Oral Tradition?
This blind prophet in the Underworld who tells Odysseus how to appease Poseidon.
Who is Tiresias?
Odysseus visits this Underworld location to consult the prophet Tiresias.
What is the Land of the Dead?
During Odysseus’ long journey, the Mycenaean decline is linked to the collapse of these powerful cities in the Aegean region.
What are the palatial centers or Mycenaean civilization?
This messenger god gives Odysseus a magical herb to protect him from Circe’s spells
Who is Hermes?
The Cyclops’ refusal to respect the laws of hospitality highlights his lack of adherence to this cultural ideal central to Greek society.
What is respect for the gods or divine law?
This disloyal goatherd insults Odysseus and aids the suitors, earning a grisly fate
Who is Melanthius?
This dangerous strait features two monstrous hazards: a six-headed beast and a deadly whirlpool.
What is the Strait of Scylla and Charybdis?
Historians believe that the stories in The Odyssey were influenced by the end of this era, known for its complex alliances and frequent conflicts.
What is the Late Bronze Age?
This god of storms and winds gives Odysseus a bag of winds to help him sail home, but his crew’s curiosity leads to disaster.
Who is Aeolus?
Greek heroes like Odysseus seek this form of lasting renown and glory through their deeds and adventures.
What is kleos?