Capsule Summary

1. Council of the gods. Athene's advice to Telemachus.
2. Ithacan assembly. Departure of Telemachus.
3. Events in Pylos.
4. Events in Sparta.
5. Calypso's island. Odysseus' raft.
6. Nausicaa. Odysseus' arrival among the Phaiacians.
7. Odysseus arrives at palace of Alcinoos.
8. Demodocus sings of Odysseus and Achilles. The games. Song of wooden horse.
9. Odysseus' story: the Cyclops.
10. Island of Aeolus. Laestrygonians. Circe.
11. Nekyia.
12. Sirens. Skylla and Charybdis. Cattle of Helios. Calypso's island.
13. Departure from the Phaiacians. Arrival in Ithaca. Athene's counsel.
14. Arrival at Eumaios' hut.
15. Telemachus returns home. His arrival at Eumaios' hut.
16. Recognition by Telemachus.
17. Telemachus arrives at the palace. Eumaios brings Odysseus to the palace.
18. Odysseus' fight with Iros. Abuse of Odysseus by handmaidens and suitors.
19. Meeting of Penelope and Odysseus. Recognition by Eurykleia.
20. Preparation for the slaughter.
21. Drawing of the bow.
22. Slaughter of the suitors.
23. Penelope recognizes Odysseus.
24. Recognition by Laertes. Combat and truce.

ODYSSEY 1. Council of the gods. Athene's advice to Telemachus.

1-10 Prologue: Sing, Muse, of the wanderings of Odysseus.
11-25 Detention of Odysseus in Calypso's isle.

26-79 Council of the gods: Athena, in Poseidon's absence, claims the
protection of Zeus for Odysseus.

80-95 Athena goes disguised (as Mentes) to Ithaca to see Telemachus.
96-143 The situation at O's palace;
144-155 the suitors' attitude.
156-220 Telemachus converses with Athena, and enquires about his father.
221-266 Athena complains of the presence of the suitors,
267-278 bids Telemachus dismiss them,
279-318 and counsels him to set out in search of his father.
319-324 The goddess vanishes.

325-364 The song of Phemius attracts Penelope, who enters and finds her son
strangely masterful after Athena's words; Telemachus sends Penelope
away.
365-382 Telemachus bids the suitors take their leave;
383-420 Antinous retorts, and Eurymachus asks about their guest who had just
gone.

421-444 Telemachus goes to bed and thinks over Authena's advice.

ODYSSEY 2. Ithacan assembly. Departure of Telemachus.

1-14 The meeting summoned by Telemachus.
15-34 Speech of Aegyptius.
35-79 Telemachus complains of the bad behavior of the suitors, and appeals
to the people.
80-128 Antinous replies, blaming Penelope.
129-145 Telemachus replies, and invokes the aid of Zeus.
146-176 Zeus sends a favorable omen, which Halitherses interprets favourably.
177-207 Eurymachus replies scornfully.
208-228 Telemachus asks for a ship that he may seek his father.
229-259 Mentor reproaches the people for disloyalty.
260-285 Athena appears in answer to Telemachus' prayer,
286-297 and promises to accompany him.

298-336 Telemachus returns home, rebukes the taunting Antinous,
337-370 and bids Eurycleia prepare provisions for his journey
371-381 under an oath of secrecy.

382-434 Athena procures and mans a ship, and they set sail together.

1-66 Telemachus arrives at Pylos; finds the Pylians engaged in sacrifice
to Poseidon; is well received.
67-101 At Nestor's request he reveals his name and mission.

102-200 Nestor recounts the sufferings of the greeks after the fall of Troy.
201-238 Telemachus despairs of the state of affairs in his home.
239-312 Nestor describes the murder of Agamemnon.
312-330 He bids Telemachus to visit Menelaus.

331-345 Athena proposes that they should now take their leave.
346-370 Nestor would like them to stay: so Telemachus remains.
371-403 Athena departs in the form of a bird; Nestor vows her an offering.

404-474 Next morning the offering is made.
475-497 Telemachus and Peisistratus set out for Sparta via Phersi.

ODYSSEY 4. Events in Sparta.

1-119 Telemachus and Peisistratus reach Lacedaemon where they are welcomed
by Menelaus.

120-154 Helen recognizes Telemachus' likeness to Odysseus;
155-167 Peisistratus tells who they are.
168-218 They all weep over old memories;
218-239 Helen puts a soothing drug in their wine
240-264 and tells a story about Odysseus' courage.
265-305 Menelaus relates the incident of the Wooden Horse; they go to bed.

306-331 Next day Telemachus asks for news of Odysseus.
332-350 Menelaus predicts the destruction of the suitors
351-363 and tells the long story of his own homecoming:
364-440 how Eidothea helped him in Egypt;
441-592 how he encountered Proteus, who described the homecomings of other
Greek leaders.
593-624 Telemachus wishes to go home, but is persuaded to stay longer.

625-674 The scene changes to Ithaca: the suitors hear of Telemachus'
journey and plot to ambush him on his way home.

675-741 Medon informs Penelope, who is much upset by the news.
742-777 Eurycleia advises her to pray to Athena; she does so.

778-785 Preparations for the ship to ambush Telemachus.

787-841 Meanwhile Penelope falls asleep and is cheered by a dream sent by
Athena.

842-847 The suitors station the ship to ambush Telemachus.

ODYSSEY 5. Calypso's island. Odysseus' raft.

1-27 Athena in Olympus complains of the hard fate of Odysseus.
28-96 Zeus despatches Hermes to Calypso's isle.
97-117 He bids her to release Odysseus.
118-148 Reluctantly the goddess consents.

149-202 Calypso informs Odysseus, and bids him build a boat,
203-227 though she would prefer that he stay.

228-261 The boat-building.

262-281 Odysseus starts from Ogygia.
282-332 Poseidon sees him, raises a storm and wrecks him.
333-381 Leucothea pities him, and gives him her headress for a life-buoy.

382-387 Athena stills the storm.
388-440 Odysseus sights land, but finds the coast too dangerous,
441-473 till he swims up the mouth of the river,
474-493 where he lands; and makes a bed of leaves under a thicket.

ODYSSEY 6. Nausicaa. Odysseus' arrival among the Phaiacians.

1-47 Athena appears in a dream to Nausicaa.
48-84 Nausicaa gets leave from her father and starts for the washing-tanks.
85-109 The washing of the linen and the ball-play.

110-148 Odysseus wakes at the cry of the maidens,
149-185 and comes forward and addresses Nausicaa.
186-254 She answers him kindly and supplies his wants.

255-315 Nausicaa brings Odysseus with her, but bids him enter the city
alone.
316-331 When they reach the city, Odysseus stops in the grove of Athena.

ODYSSEY 7. Odysseus arrives at palace of Alcinoos.

1-13 Nausicaa reaches her home.

14-47 Odysseus is met by Athena in the form of a young girl.
48-77 She directs him to the house of Alcinous.

78-132 Description of the palace and gardens of Alcinous.

133-166 Odysseus appears in the midst and supplicates Arete.
167-185 Alcinous raises him from the hearth and sets food before him,
186-236 promising on the morrow to see about his convoy home.

237-307 Odysseus tells how he had come to Scheria.

308-333 Alcinous promises him his convoy for the morrow,
334-347 and all retire for the night.

ODYSSEY 8. Demodocus sings of Odysseus and Achilles. The games. Song of wooden horse.

1-45 Alcinous calls an assembly, and proposes to send Odysseus home.
46-61 A ship is manned, and the chieftains meet at the palace.

62-72 The bard Demodocus is brought in,
73-82 and sings of the strife of Odysseus and Achilles.
83-103 The story moves Odysseus to tears.

104-144 The games.
145-157 Laodamas challenges Odysseus to the contest.
158-164 Euryalus taunts him for refusing.
165-201 Odysseus, in wrath, starts up and hurls the disc beyond all the rest,
202-235 and in his turn challenges all the Phaeacian youth.

236-265 Alcinous shows how well his people can dance.

266-368 Demodocus sings of the loves of Ares and Aphrodite.

369-386 Halius and Laodamas dance and throw the ball.

387-448 Presents are made to Odysseus, which he stows in a box,
449-498 then he bathes, and, after a kind word to Nausicaa, joins the
banqueters.

499-520 Decmodocus sings of the wooden horse.
521-549 Odysseus weeps at the story, and Alcinous bids the bard to cease,
550-586 and questions Odysseus about himself.

ODYSSEY 9. Odysseus' story: the Cyclops.

1-38 Odysseus reveals his name and home.

39-61 Story of the departure from Ilium: sack of Ismarus, and revenge of
the Cicones.

62-104 The North wind drives them on the coast of the Lotophagi.

105-151 They land on the uninhabited isle off the coast of the Cyclopes.

152-215 Odysseus with twelve comrades sets out for the cave where the Cyclops
lived.
216-251 They enter the cave and await his return.
252-286 Cyclops puts questions which Odysseus parries.
287-346 Cyclops devours six of the men, two at a time. Odysseus plots revenge.
347-402 Odysseus, having made Cyclops drunk, puts out his eye.
403-414 The trick of "No-man."
415-461 Preparations for escape.
462-479 Odysseus rescues his companions and they reach the shore.
480-542 Cyclops nearly crushes the ship twice with a huge rock.

543-566 They rejoin their comrades and resume their voyage.

1-19 The floating isle of Aeolus.
20-46 The winds tied up in a bag.
47-79 The bag is opened by the crew, and the ship blown back to the isle.

80-132 The Laestrygones.

133-155 Aeaea, the isle of Circe.
156-202 Odysseus slays a huge stag as food for his crew.

203-243 Eurylochus is sent forward with twenty-two men, who are turned into
swine by Circe.
244-273 Eurylochus brings the bad news to Odysseus.

274-280 Odysseus goes alone to Circe's house.
281-319 Hermes meets him and gives an antidote against Circe's spells.
320-392 Circe's spell fails.
393-405 The comrades of Odysseus resume their human shape.
406-482 Odysseus brings the rest of his comrades to Circe's palace.

483-574 Odysseus would like to depart, and Circe tells him of his voyage to
the land of Hades.

ODYSSEY 11. Nekyia.

1-22 The fair wind brings them to the Cimmerians' land.

23-50 The ghosts come up from Hades to drink the blood of the victims.
51-89 The ghost of Elpenor.
90-151 The ghost of Teiresias reveals to Odysseus his further trials and
the manner of his death.

152-224 Next comes the ghost of Anticleia, mother of Odysseus.
225-234 The ghosts of famous women, wives and daughters of heroes.
235-259 Tyro.
260-265 Antiope.
266-270 Alcmena and Megara.
271-280 Epicasta.
281-297 Chloris.
298-362 Leda, Iphimedeia and many others.

363-384 Alcinous asks if the ghosts of the Trojan heroes appeared.
385-470 Odysseus tells how he saw Agamemnon and learned his fate.
471-540 Odysseus talks with the ghost of Achilles.
541-567 The ghost of Ajax turns away in angry silence.
568-600 The ghosts of Minos, Orion, Tantalus and Sisyphus.
601-626 THe ghost of Heracles.

627-640 Odysseus retires fearing he might see the Gorgon's head.

ODYSSEY 12. Sirens. Skylla and Charybdis. Cattle of Helios. Calypso's island.

1-36 Return to Aeaea and burial of Elpenor.

37-46 Circe tells Odysseus of the dangers that beset his voyage:
47-54 how he must avoid the Sirens,
55-72 and the perils of the passage by the Planctae.
73-126 She tells him of the passage between Scylla and Charybdis.
127-141 and of the Thrinacian isle, and the herds of Helios.

142-164 Odysseus sets sail with his comrades.

165-200 They reach the Sirens' coast, and Odysseus hears their song unharmed.

201-233 The surf and the smoke at the Planctae.
234-244 The strait between Scylla and Charybdis.
245-259 Scylla's attack.

260-323 Arrival at the Thrinacian isle.
324-376 Weather-bound and half-famished, they slaughter the cows of Helios.
377-402 Helios demands vengeance, which Zeus promises.

403-425 Storm and shipwreck of Odysseus,
426-446 who is drifted back to the terrible strait.

447-453 Arrival at Calypso's isle.

ODYSSEY 13. Departure from the Phaiacians. Arrival in Ithaca. Athene's counsel.

1-35 The scene is laid in the court of Alcinous. Fresh presents are
bestowed upon Odysseus.
36-92 He bids them farewell, and goes on shipboard.

93-124 He is landed, in a deep sleep, at the harbor of Phorcys, in Ithaca.

125-145 Poseidon, offended at the safe landing of Odysseus, appeals to Zeus,
146-187 who suffers him to turn to stone the homeward-bound Phaeacian ship.

188-220 Odysseus wakes, but his eyes were holden, that he should not know
his native land.

221-252 Athena appears to him in the form of a shepherd, and tells him that
he is in Ithaca.
253-286 Odysseus answers deceitfully, pretending to be a Cretan fugitive.
287-343 Athena laughingly discloses herself, and promises him her aid and
counsel.
344-360 He is convinced that he has reached home, and he greets the nymphs.
361-391 Athena helps him to hide his treasures, and counsels him how to
destroy the suitors.
392-440 She then changes him into the likeness of a beggar, while she goes
to Sparta to fetch Telemachus.

ODYSSEY 14. Arrival at Eumaios' hut.

1-28 Odysseus visits the hut of Eumaeus the swineherd.
29-79 The dogs set upon him, but Eumaeus rescues him, leads him in and
entertains him.

80-114 He tells Odysseus of the reckless insolence of the suitors.
115-147 Odysseus hints that the master may still be alive, but Eumaeus is
hopeless.
148-164 Odysseus re-iterates his belief with an oath.
165-190 But Eumaeus despairs of his master's fate, and fears for the safety
of Telemachus.

191-198 Questioned by his host, Odysseus tells a story of himself and his
wanderings.
199-234 "I am a Cretan, Castor's son, devoted to the arts of war.
235-261 "I joined in the Trojan war, and afterwards made a voyage to Egypt.
262-286 "My comrades fell in a foray, and I threw myself on the mercy
of the King.
287-313 "But I was tempted away from Egypt by a designing Phoenician trader.
314-335 "Wrecked upon the Thesprotian coast I heard that Odysseus had lately
been there, and had left his treasures with the King, while he went
to Dodona.
336-359 "As I wailed thence, the crew would have sold me for a slave, but
when their ship touched at Ithaca, I escaped, as you see."

360-389 Eumaeus disbelieves him, having been misled by such stories before.
390-456 Odysseus will stake his life on the truth of his words; but Eumaeus
refuses to listen, and his him to supper.

457-533 Odysseus, by telling a story, gives a broad hint that he would like
a warm wrap.

ODYSSEY 15. Telemachus returns home. His arrival at Eumaios' hut.

1-26 Athena visits Telemachus in Sparta, urges him to return home,
27-63 and shows him how to avoid the ambush of the suitors.

64-159 He bids farewell to Menelaus, who speeds the parting guest with kind
words and rich presents.
160-181 As they start, an omen presents itself to them, which Helen inteàr-
prets.

182-194 Telemachus and Peisistratus reach Pherae that same evening, and
Pylos on the morrow.
195-221 There Telemachus parts from Peisistratus, and joins his comrades at
the ship.

222-278 At this moment comes the seer Theoclymenus, praying to be taken
aboard.
279-300 Telemachus takes him on board and they sail home, avoiding the
ambush of the suitors.

301-339 Odysseus is unwilling to tax the hospitality of Eumaeus any further;
but his host bids him stay.
340-388 Odysseus asks about Laertes and Anticleia, and learns from Eumaeus
of the sad changes in the household.

389-414 Eumaeus tells his own story, how he came to be sold as a slave:
415-492 how his nurse, tempted by traders from her own home, carried him
off.

493-524 Arrival of Telemachus in Ithaca.
525-557 A favorable omen greets him, which is interpreted by Theoclymenus.

ODYSSEY 16. Recognition by Telemachus.

1-67 Telemachus is lovingly welcomed by Eumaeus. He asks who the stranger
is;
68-111 and regrets that he can not take him to the palace because of the
violence of the suitors,
112-129 and he answers O'dysseus expressions of indignation, by showing how
helpless he is.

130-153 Eumaeus is to carry to Penelope the news of her son's arrival.
154-189 Athena appears, touches Odysseus with her wand, and transforms him
from a beggar to a prince.
190-234 Telemachus, after a moment of amaze and doubt, recognizes his father.
235-320 Father and son consult together as to the best means of taking
vengeance on the suitors.

321-341 A herald, coming from the ship to announce the arrival of Telàe-
machus, meets Eumaeus, and they deliver their message together.
342-408 The suitors, foiled in their plot, devise new plans.

409-451 Penelope taxes Antinous with base ingratitude; but Eurymachus
cajoles her with false professions of loyalty.

452-481 Eumaeus returns; meanwhile Odysseus has resumed the appearance of a
beggar.

ODYSSEY 17. Telemachus arrives at the palace. Eumaios brings Odysseus to the palace.

1-27 Telemachus starts for the town, and bids that his guest be conducted
there also.

28-83 Telemachus is joyfully welcomed by his mother and her household.
84-150 Telemachus brings Theoclymenus into the palace, and tells his mother
of his journey.
151-165 Theoclymenus, the seer, declares that even now Odysseus is not far
off.

166-183 Meanwhile the suitors are still sporting and feasting in the palace
of Odysseus.

184-203 Eumaeus comes to the town accompanied by the disguised Odysseus.
204-263 Melanthius, the goatherd, meets and jeers them, and spurns Odysseus
with his foot.

264-335 Odysseus affects to admire the splendor of his own palace. He waits
outside while Eumaeus enters.
336-373 By and by Odysseus enters, and Telemachus sends food to him and bids
him ask a dole of the suitors.

374-391 High words pass between Antinous and Eumaeus.
392-413 Telemachus draws the anger of Antinous upon himself.
414-461 Odysseus asks a dole of Antinous, and is repulsed with taunts.
462-491 Antinous hurls a stool at Odysseus, whose protest touches even the
suitors with shame.
492-506 Penelope imprecates the wrath of heaven on the cruelty of Antinous.

507-540 She then bids Eumaeus to call Odysseus to her, in the hope that she
may hear some tidings of her lord.
541-559 Telemachus gives a happy omen by sneezing loudly.
560-588 Odysseus wisely defers the audience till they are alone in the
evening.

589-606 Eumaeus returns to his hut.

ODYSSEY 18. Odysseus' fight with Iros. Abuse of Odysseus by handmaidens and suitors.

1-33 The vagabond Irus insults Odysseus, who sternly warns him to beware.
34-111 Antinous sets them to fight, and Odysseus disables Irus with one blow.
112-157 As the suitors hail him victor, he tries in vain to warn Amphinomus
of the coming vengeance.

158-213 Counselled by Athena, Penelope decks herself and appears before the
suitors.
314-243 Entering the hall she chides Telemachus for the rough treatment
which the stranger had received.
244-273 Eurymachus praises her beauty, and while she bewails her widowhood,
she hints that she may marry again.
274-283 She wonders how her "suitors" can waste her store, instead of trying
to win her with gifts.
284-303 They feel the reproach, and bestow costly presents upon her.

304-336 Odysseus offers to tend the fire for the maidens, but they laugh at
him, and Melantho taunts him bitterly.
337-348 Odysseus retorts, and scares the maidens with his terrible threats.

349-404 Eurymachus, stung by the boldness of O's words, hurls a stool at
him, which strikes the cupbearer.
405-428 Telemachus seeks to calm the tumult, and induces the suitors to go
to their homes for the night.

ODYSSEY 19. Meeting of Penelope and Odysseus. Recognition by Eurykleia.

1-52 Telemachus and Odysseus remove all weapons from the hall, while
Athena lights them to their work.

53-69 Penelope and her maidens enter the hall, and Melantho once more
taunts Odysseus.
70-103 He retorts with threats, and Penelope adds a stern rebuke.

104-122 Penelope prays Odysseus to tell of himself and his family, to which
he demurs;
123-163 but she laments her own hard lot, and presses him to tell her who he
is.
164-202 he therefore feigns himself to be a Cretan of Gnossus, and declares
that he once entertained Odysseus, on his voyage to Troy.
203-260 He startles Penelope by describing the very dress of her husband,
and the appearance of his herald.
261-316 and he declares on oath that Odysseus is safe and will ere long come
home again.

317-334 Penelope desires that her guest may be well lodged and entertained;
335-348 but he refuses it all, nor will he suffer any of the maidens to wash
his feet.

349-385 The old nurse Eurycleia willingly gives her services to one who
reminds her so of her master.
386-427 As she washes him she recognizes a scar, where a boar had torn him;
428-466 as he was hunting on Parnassus with his grandsire Autolycus.
467-502 Odysseus is just in time to stop Eurycleia's cry of joy.

503-553 Penelope confides to Odysseus her misgivings and her strange dream.
554-587 Odysseus interprets the dream favorably, but Penelope still doubts,
and desires to put an end to the wooing of the suitors by a decisive
test.

588-604 Penelope then seeks her chamber and sleeps.

ODYSSEY 20. Preparation for the slaughter.

1-27 Odysseus, lying sleepless, sees with indignation the light conduct
of the palace-maidens.

28-55 Then Athena appears to him, encourages him, and gives him sleep;
56-97 but Penelope wakes and cries, longing for death, till Odysseus hears
her lamentation.
98-123 In answer to the prayer of Odysseus a double omen comes to encourage
him.

124-161 Telemachus wakes and enquires after his guest. The banquet hall is
made ready against the feast of the New Moon.

162-184 Enter Eumaeus and Melanthius: the latter once more insults Odysseus.
185-239 But Philoitius, the neatherd, speaks kindly to the stranger,
expressing his love of Odysseus.

240-256 A warning omen prevents the suitors from slaying Telemachus.

257-283 Telemachus protects Odysseus at the banquet and defies the suitors.
284-302 During the feast Ctesippus hurls a missile at Odysseus, but misses.
303-344 Telemachus is justly indignant, and Agelaus tries to appease him.

345-386 The suitors, distraught by Athena, laugh at the boding prophecy of
Theoclymenus; then they turn him from the house.
387-394 Penelope sits listening to all the insulting words of the suitors.

ODYSSEY 21. Drawing of the bow.

1-79 Penelope brings out from her storehouse the bow of Odysseus and
challenges the suitors to a test of prowess.
80-100 Antinous scorns Eumaeus for weeping at the sight of his master's
bow.

101-123 Telemachus incites the suitors to the trial, and sets up the axes.
124-143 Then he takes the bow to show his skill, but a look from his father
makes him desist.

144-166 Leiodes the prophet first tries to string the bow, and failing,
utters some dark forebodings.
167-187 Antinous rebukes him for his words; and tries to make the bow supple
by heat, but in vain.

188-244 Interview of Odysseus with Philoetius and Eumaeus proves their
loyalty and secures their services.

245-273 Eurymachus fails like the rest, and Antinous induces them to put off
further trial till the morrow.

274-310 Odysseus, begging to try the bow, draws upon himself the wrath of
the suitors.
311-358 Penelope protests, and claims fair treatment for their guest.
359-387 Eumaeus brings the bow and arrows to his master; and bids Eurycleia
to keep all the women in their rooms.
388-392 Meanwhile Philoetius makes fast the doors of the hall.

393-411 Odysseus deftly handles the bow, and at the first shot sends his
arrow through the axes.
412-434 The suitors are aghast, and Zeus signifies his approval by a clap of
thunder. Telemachus stand ready for resistance at his father's side.

ODYSSEY 22. Slaughter of the suitors.

1-43 Odysseus shoots down Antinous, and reveals himself to the terrified
suitors.
44-88 Eurymachus tries in vain to make terms; then he rushes upon
Odysseus, but fails pierced with an arrow.
89-125 Telemachus, having slain Amphinomus, brings arms for his father,
himself, and their two herdsmen.

126-204 Melanthius tries to steal into the storehouse to get arms. He is
caught there and left fast bound.

205-254 Athena appears in the form of Mentor, kindles the courage of
Odysseus; and then takes the shape of a swallow and sits on the
rafter.
255-309 Athena diverts the spears from Odysseus and his friends, and scares
the suitors by raising her aegis before them.

310-329 Leiodes supplicates in vain for mercy.

330-355 But Phemius, the minstrel, is spared, Telemachus interceding for him,
356-392 and for the herald Medon.

393-434 Odysseus summons Eurycleia to the hall, and makes her send in the
disloyal women,
435-456 who are made to take their part in carrying out the corpses
and cleansing the hall.

457-473 Twelve of the women are hanged in the courtyard,
474-480 and Melanthius is ruthlessly mutilated.

481-501 Odysseus having purged the hall with sulphur, bids Penelope and her
faithful women, to come to him there.

ODYSSEY 23. Penelope recognizes Odysseus.

1-84 Eurycleia wakes Penelope and tells her of the arrival of Odysseus
and the slaughter of the suitors; but she cannot believe the tale.

85-95 Penelope enters the hall, and sits long silent, doubtful whether the
stranger can really be her lord.
96-116 Telemachus chides her slowness of heart to believe.

117-152 Odysseus orders that the household keep high festival, that the
slaughter of the suitors may not yet be known.

153-180 Odysseus, clad in royal raiment, returns to his wife and chides her
coldness.
181-262 Convinced at last by his knowledge of his own secret chamber, that
it is really Odysseus, she throws herself into his arms.

263-299 Odysseus recounts the prophecy of Teiresias as to his futher
wanderings,
300-349 and husband and wife spend the night in telling each other of what
they had undergone.

350-372 Next morning Odysseus gives up the care of the house to his wife,
and bids her remain indoors while he visits Laertes.

ODYSSEY 24. Recognition by Laertes. Combat and truce.

1-23 Hermes conducts to Hades the souls of the suitors. They meet there
with Achilles and other heroes.

24-101 Agamemnon is telling Achilles of the splendid funeral that did him
honor, and contrasting it with his own dismal murder.
102-190 Agamemnon learns from the soul of Amphimedon about the slaying of
the suitors.
191-204 He lauds the constancy of Penelope and contrasts it with the
faithlessness of Clytemnestra.

205-243 Visit of Odysseus to Laertes.

244-314 Odysseus invents a story which brings home to Laertes many thoughts
about his son.
315-385 The old man utterly breaks down, and Odysseus embracing him
discloses himself.

386-412 Joy of Dolius, the old slave of Lertes, at recognizing the lost
Odysseus.

413-425 News reaches the city of the slaying of the suitors.

426-462 Threatening language of Eupeithes, father of Antinous,
463-491 who carries the day against Medon and Haitherses, and leads the men
of Ithaca in arms to the palace of Odysseus.

492-519 Dolius announces their approach, and Odysseus goes out to meet them
with Telemachus and Laertes.
520-533 Laertes slays Eupeithes, and a general slaughter would have followed,
534-548 had not Athena intervened and made peace between the combatants.