Index A
Acastus
King of Dulichium.
Bk XIV:293-359 Mentioned.
Achaea
A name for the Greek mainland, derived from a region in the northern Peloponnese. Hence the Achaeans, for the name of the people who fought against Troy in Homer’s Iliad.
Bk III:102-147 Bk XIV:165-234 Bk XIV:235-292 The Greeks as ‘sons of Achaea’.
Bk III:253-312 Bk XXI:80-135 Bk XXI:136-185 Bk XXI:245-310
Bk XXIV:98-204 The women of Achaea.
Bk XI:150-224 Bk XI:465-540 Bk XIII:216-255 Odysseus’ homeland is Achaean.
Bk XII:165-200 Odysseus is the glory of the Achaeans.
Bk XV:271-300 Argos and its territory is within Achaea.
Achaeans
The inhabitants of Achaea. The Greeks generally. (Historically of unknown origin they appeared in the Peloponnese in the 12th and 13th centuries BC, and became the ruling class circa 1250.)
Bk I:44-95 Bk I:252-305 Bk I:365-420 Bk II:1-34 Bk II:85-128
Bk II:177-223 Bk II:260-295 Bk II:296-336 Bk IV:795-847
Bk XI:150-224 Bk XVI:60-111 Bk XVI:321-39 Bk XVII:396-461
Bk XVII:505-550 Bk XVIII:50-116 Bk XVIII:158-205
Bk XVIII:284-339 Bk XIX:220-307 Bk XIX:508-553
Bk XX:1-55 Bk XX:120-171 Bk XX:172-239 Bk XX:240-298
Bk XXI:311-358 Bk XXI:359-403 Bk XXII:1-67 Bk XXIII:300-372
The inhabitants and rulers of Ithaca and its neighbourhood. Described as ‘long-haired’ The Suitors included.
Bk I:213-251 Bk I:252-305 Bk II:35-84 Bk III:51-101 Bk III:102-147
Bk III:148-200 Bk III:201-252 Bk IV:59-112 Bk IV:113-154
Bk IV:220-289 Bk IV:290-350 Bk V:262-312 Bk VIII:62-103
Bk VIII:199-255 Bk VIII:469-520 Bk X:1-55 Bk XI:541-592
Bk XIII:311-365 Bk XIV:360-408 Bk XIV:457-506 Bk XVII:107-165
Bk XXIII:205-246 Bk XXIV:1-56 Bk XXIV:57-97 The Greeks at Troy. They are described as ‘bronze-clad’, ‘well-greaved’.
Bk I:325-364 Bk IV:464-511 Their troubled return from Troy.
Bk III:404-463 Nestor is a Warden of the Achaeans.
Bk IX:1-62 Bk IX:256-306 Odysseus’ crewmen.
Bk XI:465-540 Achilles the greatest of the Achaean warriors.
Bk XVIII:206-283 The Greeks of Argos.
Bk XIX:164-219 There are Achaeans living on Crete.
Bk XXIV:412-462 Eupeithes argues that Odysseus has harmed the Achaeans.
Acheron
Bk X:503-574 A river of Hades.
Achilles
The Greek hero of the Trojan War. The son of Peleus, king of Thessaly, and the sea-goddess Thetis (See Homer’s Iliad).
Bk III:102-147 He led the Greeks in plundering cities on their journey to Troy, and was killed by Paris at Troy.
Bk III:148-200 His troops the Myrmidons.
Bk IV:1-58 His son Neoptolemus (Pyrrhus).
Bk V:262-312 Odysseus and the Greeks fought for his corpse at Troy, after he had been killed by Paris.
Bk VIII:62-103 His quarrel with Odysseus at a feast.
Bk XI:465-540 His ghost appears to Odysseus.
Bk XI:541-592 Ajax and Odysseus contested in debate for the arms of Achilles.
Bk XXIV:1-56 His ghost in Hades.
Bk XXIV:57-97 Agamemnon describes Achilles’ funeral.
Acroneos
A Phaeacian.
Bk VIII:104-151 He competes in the Games.
Actoris
A maidservant of Penelope.
Bk XXIII:205-246 She knew the secret of Odysseus’ marriage-bed.
Adreste
A maidservant of Helen.
Bk IV:113-154 Mentioned.
Aeacus
The son of Zeus and Aegina, grandson of Asopus, the river-god of the north-eastern Peloponnese. He named his island in the Saronic gulfAegina after his mother. The father of Peleus and grandfather of Achilles. The father of Telamon, and grandfather of Ajax.
Bk XI:465-540 Achilles was his grandson.
Aeaea
The ‘island’ home of Circe. Cape Circeo the headland at the northern end of the Gulf of Gaeta on the western coast of Italy, once separated by marshes from the mainland.
Bk IX:1-62 Bk XII:260-319 Circe’s island.
Bk X:133-197 Odysseus and his crew reach the island.
Bk XI:51-89 Odysseus is destined to return there after his visit to Hades.
Bk XII:1-35 Odysseus returns to the island.
Aeetes
King of Colchis, brother to Circe (and father of Medea).
Bk X:133-197 He and his sister are children of the Sun.
Bk XII:36-110 Jason fled from his court after winning the Golden Fleece.
Aegae
The city of Euboea on the Euboean Gulf, sacred to Poseidon.
Bk V:313-387 Poseidon’s underwater palace there.
Aegisthus
The lover of Clytemnestra who murdered her husband King Agamemnon on his return from Troy. He was the son of Thyestes, and carried on the blood-feud between Thyestes and Atreus the sons of Pelops.
Bk I:22-43 An example of hubris, having been warned by the gods not to commit his fatal deeds.
Bk I:252-305 Bk III:148-200 Bk III:201-252 Bk III:253-312
Bk IV:512-547 Bk XI:385-464 Bk XXIV:1-56 The murderer of Agamemnon, subsequently killed in revenge by Orestes.
Aegyptus
The River Nile in Egypt.
Bk IV:464-511 Bk IV:548-592 Menelaus is forced to return there before he can sail home.
Aegyptius
An aged Ithacan noble, the father of Eurynomus and Antiphus.
Bk II:1-34 Bk II:35-84 He opens the assembly.
Aedon
The daughter of Pandareus, wife of Zethus, and mother of Itylus. In an alternative myth to the Procne-Tereus story, Aedon envied her sister Niobe her twelve children and killed her own son Itylus in error while trying to murder the eldest Sipylus. Zeus transformed her into the nightingale, who in early summer, mourns her murdered child.
Bk XIX:508-553 Her quivering song with its intricate trills.
Aeolia
The island of Aeolus, king of the winds. (For a discussion of the various claims of Ustica or islands of the Lipari group to be the island, see Ernle Bradford’s ‘Ulysses Found’ Chapter 9.)
Bk X:1-55 Odysseus and his ships land there.
Aeolus (1)
King of the winds.
Bk X:1-55 He gives Odysseus gifts, including the winds in a bag.
Bk X:56-102 He sends Odysseus away on his return.
Bk XXIII:300-372 Odysseus tells the tale.
Aeolus (2)
King of Thessaly, and father of Sisyphus (so reputedly the grandfather of Odysseus), and Cretheus.
Bk XI:225-332 Mentioned.
Aeson
Son of Cretheus and Tyro. His throne was usurped by his half-brother Pelias, who imprisoned him. The father of Jason, the Argonaut.
Bk XI:225-332 Mentioned.
Aethon
A fictitious name assumed by Odysseus.
Bk XIX:164-219 Supposedly a son of Deucalion.
Aetolia
A region in central Greece.
Bk XIV:360-408 Eumaeus mentions an Aetolian visitor.
Agamemnon
The king of Mycenae, son of Atreus, brother of Menelaüs, husband of Clytaemnestra, father of Orestes, Iphigenia, and Electra. The leader of the Greek army in the Trojan War. See Homer’s Iliad, and Aeschylus’s Oresteian tragedies.
Bk I:22-43 Bk III:148-200 Bk III:201-252 Bk III:253-312
Bk IV:512-547 Murdered by Aegisthus, and avenged by his own son Orestes.
Bk III:102-147 Quarrelled with Menelaus, wishing to delay the return after Troy and propitiate Athene.
Bk IV:548-592 Menelaus having learnt of his death from Proteus builds a mound for him in Egypt.
Bk VIII:62-103 His visit to Apollo’s oracle at Pytho, which prophesied the defeat of Troy after a quarrel of the finest among the Greeks. Agamemnon mistook the quarrel between Achilles and Odysseus as a fulfilment of the prophecy that was actually fulfilled by his own quarrel with Achilles.
Bk IX:256-306 Bk XIV:48-108 His fame as the conqueror of Troy.
Bk XI:150-224 Bk XIV:109-164 Bk XIV:457-506 The leader whom Odysseus followed to Troy.
Bk XI:385-464 His ghost appears to Odysseus.
Bk XIII:366-415 Odysseus is glad to escape Agamemnon’s fate.
Bk XXIV:1-56 His ghost in Hades celebrates Achilles.
Bk XXIV:98-204 His ghost in Hades hears the fate of the Suitors.
Agelaus
A Suitor, the son of Damastor.
Bk XX:299-344 He offers placatory words.
Bk XXII:116-159 He suggests the alarm should be raised outside.
Bk XXII:200-240 He rebukes Mentor (the disguised Athene).
Bk XXII:241-309 Wounded by Odysseus.
Bk XXII:310-377 Odysseus uses his abandoned sword.
Ajax (1)
Ajax the Greater, a hero of the Trojan War, the son of Telamon and grandson of Aeacus.
Bk III:102-147 He is described as ‘beloved of Ares’. He committed suicide at Troy after not being awarded the arms of Achilles.
Bk XI:465-540 Bk XXIV:1-56 His ghost accompanies Achilles’ ghost in the Underworld.
Bk XI:541-592 Odysseus speaks with his ghost.
Ajax (2)
Ajax the Lesser, a warrior at Troy, the son of Oileus. He raped Cassandra in Athene’s temple at Troy, and incurred the goddess’ enmity.
Bk IV:464-511 Poseidon wrecked him at Gyrae, and he was drowned.
Alcandre
A lady of Thebes in Egypt. The wife of Polybus.
Bk IV:113-154 Her gifts to Helen.
Alcimus
The father of Mentor.
Bk XXII:200-240 Mentioned.
Alcinous
The king of the Phaeacians, and son of Nausithous, husband of Arete, and father of Nausicaa.
Bk VI:1-47 Bk XIII:53-95 Present king of the Phaeacians.
Bk VI:48-109 Nausicaa seeks him out in the palace.
Bk VI:110-148 Bk VI:149-197 Bk VI:198-250 Bk VI:251-315 The father of Nausicaa.
Bk VII:1-77 Honours his wife Arete. Eurymedusa was given to him as a spoil of war.
Bk VII:78-132 His palace and gardens.
Bk VII:133-181 Bk VII:182-239 His hospitality to Odysseus, the unknown stranger.
Bk VII:298-347 Bk VIII:1-61 Bk XIII:1-52 Prepares to send Odysseus home.
Bk VIII:62-103 Bk VIII:521-585 He is aware of Odysseus’ tearful reaction to the tale of Troy.
Bk VIII:104-151 His sons, Laodamas, Halius, Clytoneus.
Bk VIII:199-255 Bk VIII:256-366 He praises his people’s skills and summons the bard. Note that the fifty-two youths chosen, and Alcinous’ later comment that he is the thirteenth of the princes who rule the country, suggests that he is a solar king, like Heracles.
Bk VIII:367-415 Bk VIII:416-468 He arranges gifts for Odysseus.
Bk VIII:469-520 Odysseus sits next to him, to listen to the bard.
Bk IX:1-62 Odysseus replies to his questions.
Bk XI:333-384 He asks Odysseus to continue his narration.
Bk XIII:159-215 He recalls his father’s prophecy.
Alcippe
A maidservant of Helen.
Bk IV:113-154 Mentioned.
Alcmaeon
A son of Amphiaraus.
Bk XV:222-270 Mentioned.
Alcmene
The daughter of Electryon of Mycenae, and mother by Zeus of Heracles (Hercules).
Bk II:85-128 A famous woman of early Greece.
Bk XI:225-332 The wife of Amphitryon. She was seduced by Zeus who extended the length of one night to three in order to make love to her. Her ghost appears to Odysseus.
Alector
A Spartan.
Bk IV:1-58 His daughter married Megapenthes.
Aloeus
King of Boeotian Asopia.
Bk XI:225-332 The husband of Iphimedeia.
Alpheius
The river and river-god of Elis. Father of Ortilochus, and grandfather of Diocles.
Bk III:464-497 Bk XV:183-221 Mentioned.
Alybas
An unknown city.
Bk XXIV:302-355 Odysseus pretends to hail from there.
Amnisus
The harbour of Cnossus on Crete. A Minoan settlement has been excavated on the eastern slope of the hills.
Bk XIX:164-219 Odysseus supposedly landed there on his way to Troy.
Amphialus
A Phaeacian.
Bk VIII:104-151 He competes in the Games, and wins the long-jump.
Amphiaraus
The seer, husband of Eriphyle. The grandfather of Theoclymenus.
Bk XI:225-332 Bk XV:222-270 He was killed in the war of the Seven against Thebes, struck by a lightning bolt of Zeus’ so that he vanished with his chariot and horses into Hades, where he reigns, alive, among the dead.
Amphilochus
A son of Amphiaraus.
Bk XV:222-270 Mentioned.
Amphimedon
A Suitor.
Bk XXII:241-309 Killed by Telemachus.
Bk XXIV:98-204 He relates the fate of the Suitors, in Hades.
Amphinomus
Leader of the Suitors from Dulichium. The son of Nisus.
Bk XVI:321-39 He sees the Suitors’ ship returning.
Bk XVI:393-451 He suggests they consult the oracle regarding the killing of Telemachus.
Bk XVIII:117-157 Odysseus warns him of trouble to come. But Athene has already marked him out for death.
Bk XVIII:394-428 Bk XX:240-298 He quietens the Suitors.
Bk XXII:68-115 Killed by Telemachus.
Amphion (1)
The son of Zeus and Antiope, who founded lower Thebes.
Bk XI:225-332 Brother of Zethus. Amphion lifted the blocks of stone that built the walls of Thebes with the music of his lyre.
King of Orchomenus. Son of Iasus.
Bk XI:225-332 The father of Chloris.
Amphithea, Ampithee
The wife of Autolycus and mother of Anticleia.
Bk XIX:361-47 The grandmother of Odysseus.
Amphitrite
A sea-goddess, the daughter of Nereus and wife of Poseidon. She was the Nereid whom Poseidon married, here representing the sea. He had courted Thetis another of the Nereids but desisted when it was prophesied that any son born to her would be greater than his father. Thetis bore Achilles.
Bk III:51-101 The sea, hence blue or green-eyed.
Bk V:388-450 Bk XII:36-110 She breeds the monsters of the deep.
Amphitryon
King of Troezen, husband of Alcmene. He was banished and fled to Thebes.
Bk XI:225-332 Cuckolded by Zeus.
Amythaon
Bk XI:225-332 Mentioned.
Anabesineos
A Phaeacian.
Bk VIII:104-151 He competes in the Games.
Anchialus (1)
The father of Mentes.
Bk I:156-212 Bk I:365-420 Mentioned.
Anchialus (2)
A Phaeacian.
Bk VIII:104-151 He competes in the Games.
Andraemon
The father of Thoas.
Bk XIV:457-506 Mentioned.
Andromache
The wife of Hector.
Bk XI:465-540 She was claimed by Neoptolemus after the sack of Troy.
Anticleia
The mother of Odysseus, and wife of Laertes.
Bk XI:51-89 Her ghost appears to Odysseus.
Bk XI:90-149 Her ghost cannot know or speak to him until he allows it to approach the blood in the trench he has dug.
Bk XI:150-224 Odysseus speaks to her ghost.
Bk XV:351-40 Eumaeus speaks about her.
Bk XIX:361-47 She was the daughter of Autolycus.
Anticlus
A Greek warrior inside the Wooden Horse at Troy.
Bk IV:220-289 Odysseus restrained him from speaking.
Antilochus
The son of Nestor. Achilles’ favourite after Patroclus he was killed by Memnon at Troy.
Bk III:102-147 Remembered by his father.
Bk IV:155-219 Mourned by his brother Peisistratus.
Bk XI:465-540 Bk XXIV:1-56 His ghost accompanies Achilles’ ghost in the Underworld.
Bk XXIV:57-97 His ashes are not mixed with those of Achilles.
Antinous
‘Anti-mind’, the son of Eupeithes, and one of the leading Suitors.
Bk I:365-420 He hopes Telemachus will never be king of Ithaca.
Bk II:35-84 He alone replies to Telemachus’ case against them.
Bk II:129-176 Telemachus rejects Antinous’ argument.
Bk II:296-336 Antinous tries to placate Telemachus.
Bk IV:625-674 Bk IV:767-794 He plots to waylay Telemachus.
Bk XVI:321-39 He suggests further alternative actions.
Bk XVI:393-451 Penelope rebukes him.
Bk XVII:328-395 He attacks Eumaeus verbally.
Bk XVII:396-461 He refuses to give alms to Odysseus.
Bk XVII:462-504 He hurls a stool at Odysseus.
Bk XVIII:1-49 Bk XVIII:50-116 He incites Irus and Odysseus to fight.
Bk XVIII:117-157 He rewards the winner, Odysseus.
Bk XVIII:284-339 His gift to Penelope.
Bk XX:240-298 He speaks against Telemachus.
Bk XXI:80-135 He anticipates the difficult of stringing Odysseus’ bow. He will be the first of the Suitors to die.
Bk XXI:136-185 He rebukes Leodes.
Bk XXI:186-244 He continues the contest to draw the bow.
Bk XXI:245-310 He rebukes Odysseus.
Bk XXI:311-358 Penelope rebukes him.
Bk XXII:1-67 Bk XXIV:98-204 Odysseus killed him.
Bk XXIV:412-462 His father urges revenge for his death.
Antiope
The daughter of the River Asopus.
Bk XI:225-332 Raped by Zeus she gave birth to Amphion and Zethus the founders of lower Thebes. Her ghost appears to Odysseus.
Antiphates (1)
The chief of the Laestrygonians, a cannibal race.
Bk X:103-132 He attacks Odysseus’ men.
Bk X:198-250 Odysseus’ men remember his savagery.
Antiphates (2)
The son of Melampus and father of Oicles.
Bk XV:222-270 Mentioned.
Antiphus (1)
The son of Aegyptius, who sailed with Odysseus to Troy.
Bk II:1-34 He was eaten by the Cyclops.
Antiphus (2)
An Ithacan elder.
Bk XVII:61-106 Telemachus recognises him as an old friend of Odysseus.
Aperaea
Location unknown.
Bk VII:1-77 Native place of Eurymedusa.
Apheidas
Bk XXIV:302-355 The name assumed by Odysseus for his fictitious (?) father.
Aphrodite
The divine daughter of Zeus, and wife of Hephaestus. The Goddess of Love, noted for her beauty.
Bk IV:1-58 Hermione has her beauty.
Bk IV:220-289 Helen blames Aphrodite for blinding her with desire for Paris.
Bk VIII:256-366 Called Aphrodite of the lovely crown. The bard sings her adulterous love for Ares. Paphos on Cyprus was sacred to her, and contained a famous sanctuary of her worship.
Bk XVII:1-60 Bk XIX:53-99 Penelope’s beauty compared to hers.
Bk XX:56-119 She fed the daughters of Pandareus.
Bk XXII:433-501 The goddess of sexuality and illicit love.
Apollo
Phoebus Apollo, son of Zeus and Latona (Leto), brother of Artemis, born on Delos. God of poetry, art, medicine, prophecy, and of the sun. (See the Apollo Belvedere, sculpted by Leochares?, Vatican: the Piombino Apollo, Paris Louvre: the Tiber Apollo, Rome, National Museum of the Terme: the fountain sculpture by Tuby at Versailles – The Chariot of Apollo: and the sculpture by Girardon and Regnaudin at Versailles – Apollo Tended by the Nymphs – derived from the Apollo Belvedere, and once part of the now demolished Grotto of Thetis )
Bk III:253-312 Bk XV:403-492 The God of the Silver Bow. Killed Menelaus’ steersman, Phrontis, among others with his arrows (possibly a euphemism for heart failure). His arrows are said to be gentle, painless.
Bk IV:290-350 Bk XVII:107-165 Menelaus swears by him.
Bk VI:149-197 His altar in Delos.
Bk VII:1-77 His arrow killed Rhexenor.
Bk VII:298-347 Alcinous invokes him.
Bk VIII:62-103 His oracle at Pytho visited by Agamemnon.
Bk VIII:199-255 He killed Eurytus in anger.
Bk VIII:256-366 He who strikes from afar (the ‘Far-Darter’). He jokes with Hermes about Ares’ and Aphrodite’s predicament.
Bk VIII:469-520 He inspires bards, as a god of music and poetry.
Bk IX:193-255 Maron was his priest at Ismarus indicating his worship by the Thracian Cicones.
A mountain in Thessaly in Northern Greece.
Bk XI:225-332 His arrows killed Ephialtes and Otus.
Bk XV:222-270 He favoured Amphiaraus, and made Polypheides his priest.
Bk XV:493-557 The hawk is his messenger.
Bk XVII:204-253 Melanthius invokes him, impiously.
Bk XVII:462-504 Penelope invokes him against Antinous.
Bk XVIII:206-283 Telemachus invokes him.
Bk XIX:53-99 Bk XXII:1-67 Odysseus invokes him.
Bk XX:240-298 The Ithacans gather in his sacred grove.
Bk XXI:245-310 Antinous suggests it is unwise to attempt to string the great bow on the Archer’s holy day.
Bk XXI:311-358 He can bring a man glory with the bow.
Bk XXI:359-403 The Suitors invoke him.
Bk XXIV:356-411 Invoked by Laertes.
Arceisius
Son of Zeus, and father of Laertes.
Bk IV:721-766 Bk XXIV:205-30 Paternal grandfather of Odysseus.
Bk XIV:165-234 His race will die out on Ithaca if Odysseus and Telemachus are both lost.
Bk XVI:112-153 Bk XXIV:502-54 Laertes was his only son.
Ares
The god of war, son of Zeus and Hera.
Bk III:102-147 Ajax the Greater as a mighty warrior is ‘beloved of Ares’.
Bk III:148-200 Diomedes, the warrior, is also ‘beloved of Ares’.
Bk VIII:104-151 Euryalus compared with him.
Bk VIII:256-366 Called Ares of the Golden Reins. The bard sings of his love for Aphrodite. Thrace was sacred to him.
Bk VIII:469-520 Odysseus looked like him during the sack of Troy.
Bk XI:465-540 The confusion of battle is caused by him.
Bk XIV:165-234 He grants courage in battle.
Arete
The wife of Alcinous and mother of Nausicaa.
Bk VI:48-109 Nausicaa seeks her out in the palace.
Bk VII:1-77 The only daughter of Rhexenor. Honoured by Alcinous her husband. Respected for her wisdom.
Bk VII:133-181 Odysseus clasps her knees, as a suppliant.
Bk VII:182-239 She questions Odysseus.
Bk VII:298-347 Bk VIII:416-468 Bk XI:333-384 Her hospitality to Odysseus.
Bk XIII:53-95 Odysseus takes leave of her.
Arethusa
A Naiad, traditionally one of the naiads of Tempe.
Bk XIII:366-415 A spring named for her on Ithaca.
Aretias
The father of Nisus, and grandfather of Amphinomus.
Bk XVI:393-451 Bk XVIII:394-428 Mentioned.
Aretus
A son of Nestor.
Bk III:404-463 He helps his father with the sacrifice.
Argives
The inhabitants of Argos (especially of Sparta and Mycenae) in the Peloponnese, but extended to cover all the Greeks who sailed for Troy.
Bk I:44-95 Bk I:156-212 Bk II:129-176 Bk III:102-147 Bk III:356-403
Bk IV:155-219 Bk IV:220-289 Bk VIII:469-520 Bk VIII:521-585
Bk X:1-55 Bk XI:333-384 Bk XI:465-540 Bk XI:541-592
Bk XII:165-200 Bk XVIII:206-283 Bk XIX:100-163 Bk XXIV:1-56
Bk XXIV:57-97 The Greeks at Troy.
Bk III:253-312 The inhabitants of Argos called to the funeral feast of Aegisthus.
Bk IV:290-350 Bk XVII:107-165 Bk XXIII:205-246 Helen is an Argive.
Argo
The ship of Jason and the Argonauts. The first ocean-going vessel.
Bk XII:36-110 Jason fled from the court of King Aeetes in the ship.
Argos
The city and district in the north-west Peloponnese, or a general term for southern Greece. Agamemnon was king of the region.
Bk I:325-364 Bk IV:721-766 Bk IV:795-847 Odysseus’ famous there.
Bk III:148-200 Diomedes returns home there.
Bk III:201-252 Described as ‘Achaean’. Menelaus was not in Argos when Agamemnon was murdered.
Bk III:253-312 Bk IV:59-112 Famed for its horse-pastures.
Bk IV:155-219 Menelaus intended to give Odysseus a city near to him.
Bk IV:548-592 Menelaus will not meet his end in the Argolis.
Menelaus offers to show Telemachus the Peloponnese.
Bk XV:222-270 Theoclymenus is fleeing from Argos. Melampus went to live there.
Bk XV:271-300 Theoclymenus is being pursued for killing a man there.
Bk XVIII:206-283 Described as Iasian.
Bk XXI:80-135 A major city of Achaea, noted for its women.
Bk XXIV:1-56 Where Agamemnon was murdered.
Argus
The many-eyed monster that guarded Io, whom Hera had changed into a heifer. Hermes lulled him to sleep and then killed him. Also the name given to Odysseus’ guard dog.
Bk I:22-43 Bk I:44-95 Bk V:43-91 Bk V:92-147 Bk V:148-191
Bk VII:133-181 Bk VIII:256-366 Bk X:302-347 Bk XXIV:98-204
The monster killed by Hermes.
Bk XVII:290-327 The name of Odysseus’ old hound, that dies after seeing him once more.
Ariadne
A daughter of Minos. Half-sister of the Minotaur, and sister of Phaedra who helped Theseus on Crete.
Bk XI:225-332 Killed by Artemis. Her ghost appeared to Odysseus.
Arnaeus
See Irus.
Artacia
A stream in the Laestrygonian country.
Bk X:103-132 Mentioned.
Artemis
The daughter of Zeus and Leto, and sister of Apollo. The goddess of hunting, childbirth and women.
Bk IV:113-154 Her golden distaff.
Bk V:92-147 She killed Orion, perhaps unintentionally.
Bk VI:48-109 Noted for her height and beauty. The huntress. Her haunts on Taygetus and Erymanthus.
Bk VI:149-197 Nausicaa’s beauty compared to hers.
Bk XI:150-224 Bk XV:403-492 She kills mortals with her bow, and her ‘gentle’ arrows. (Possibly a euphemism for heart-failure.)
Bk XI:225-332 She killed Ariadne on Dia.
Bk XVII:1-60 Bk XIX:53-99 Penelope’s beauty compared to hers.
Bk XX:56-119 Penelope prays to her. She once blessed the daughters of Pandareus.
Arybas
A rich merchant of Sidon.
Bk XV:403-492 Father of the Phoenician woman in Eumaeus’ story.
Asopus
The river and river-god of the north-eastern Peloponnese.
Bk XI:225-332 The father of Antiope.
Asphalion
A squire of Menelaus.
Bk IV:155-219 Mentioned.
Asteris
An island between Ithaca and Samos. (probably the modern Daskalio in the channel between Ithaca and Cephallonia, see Ernle Bradford ‘Ulysses Found’ Appendix II.)
Bk IV:795-847 The Suitors plan to ambush Telemachus there.
Astyoche
The mother of Eurypylus. Priam offered her a golden vine for her son’s allegiance, and betrothed him to
Bk XI:465-540 Her greed for gain, caused her son’s death.
Athene
The virgin goddess of Mind, the Arts, and War. The daughter of Zeus. The patroness of Athens, and protectress of Odysseus. Plato identified her with the Libyan Goddess, Neith.
Bk I:44-95 She persuades Zeus to allow Odysseus to return home, and proposes to visit his son Telemachus on Ithaca and send him for news of his father.
Bk I:96-155 She visits Telemachus on Ithaca disguised as Mentes.
Bk I:156-212 She prophesies Odysseus’ survival.
Bk I:213-251 She questions Telemachus.
Bk I:252-305 Bk I:421-444 She suggests Telemachus seeks news of his father.
Bk I:306-324 She inspires Telemachus with courage and then departs like a bird.
Bk I:325-364 Athene made the return from Troy difficult for the Greeks. She closes Penelope’s eyes in sleep, as protectress of Odysseus and his family.
Bk II:1-34 Bk XVII:61-106 She endows Telemachus with grace.
Bk II:85-128 She has endowed Penelope with exceptional mental powers.
Bk II:260-295 Bk II:296-336 Disguised as Mentor she offers to prepare a ship for Telemachus.
Bk II:382-434 Disguised as Telemachus she prepares the ship and crew, then, disguised as Mentor, she sets sail with Telemachus.
Bk III:1-50 On reaching Pylos she advises Telemachus to approach Nestor directly. She is described with Zeus as a wearer of the aegis, a protective sacred ‘goatskin’ breastplate.
Bk III:51-101 As Mentor, she purports to pray to Poseidon, fulfilling the prayer herself.
Bk III:102-147 Bk V:92-147 Angered with the Greeks after the sack of Troy. (See Cassandra)
Bk III:201-252 As Mentor she rebukes Telemachus.
Bk III:313-355 As Mentor she advises Telemachus to accept Nestor’s offer of hospitality.
Bk III:356-403 She flies off in the likeness of a sea-eagle. (Haliaeetus albicilla the white-tailed sea eagle or Haliaeetus leucoryphus, Pallas’s sea eagle, now found further east than Greece.) Nestor prays to her. She was born (as Neith) beside Lake Tritonis in Libya.
Bk III:404-463 Nestor sacrifices to her.
Bk IV:220-289 She led Helen away from the Greeks concealed inside the Wooden Horse, to preserve the secret.
Bk IV:290-350 Bk XVII:107-165 Menelaus swears by her.
Bk IV:464-511 Her enmity towards Ajax the Lesser because of his rape of Cassandra in the goddess’ temple.
Bk IV:721-766 Penelope prays to her.
Bk IV:795-847 She sends a phantom to Penelope.
Bk V:1-42 She tells the gods of Odysseus’ sufferings, and successfully asks for him to be freed from Calypso’s isle.
Bk V:313-387 She calms the sea to enable Odysseus to swim to Phaeacia.
Bk V:388-450 Bk IX:307-359 She sharpens Odysseus’ minds and inspires him with ideas.
Bk V:451-493 She brings Odysseus sleep to ease his weariness.
Bk VI:1-47 Disguised as the daughter of Dymas, she prompts Nausicaa to go to the shore.
Bk VI:110-148 She has Odysseus wake, and inspires Nausicaa.
Bk VI:198-250 Bk XXIII:141-204 She beautifies Odysseus. She inspires craftsmen with ingenuity and artistic cleverness.
Bk VI:251-315 Bk VI:316-33 The grove in Scherie sacred to her.
Bk VII:1-77 She leads Odysseus to Alcinous’ palace, while disguised as a young girl, and veils him in a magic mist.
Bk VII:78-132 She leaves Scherie and travels to her city of Athens. She has gifted the Phaeacian women with knowledge of arts and crafts.
Bk VII:133-181 The magic mist disperses.
Bk VII:298-347 Alcinous invokes her.
Bk VIII:1-61 She gathers the Phaeacians, and makes Odysseus stronger and taller.
Bk VIII:152-198 In human disguise, she marks the fall of Odysseus’ discus.
Bk VIII:469-520 She helped Epeius make the Wooden Horse, and inspired Odysseus in battle.
Bk XI:541-592 She judged the debate between Odysseus and Ajax.
Bk XI:593-640 She guided Heracles in Hades.
Bk XIII:96-158 She prompted the Phaeacians to bring Odysseus gifts.
Bk XIII:159-215 She veils Odysseus in a mist on his return to Ithaca.
Bk XIII:216-255 She appears to Odysseus disguised as a shepherd boy.
Bk XIII:256-310 She reveals herself as Odysseus’ protectress.
Bk XIII:366-415 She promises Odysseus her help.
Bk XIII:416-440 Bk XVI:213-257 She disguises Odysseus as an old beggar and sets off for Sparta to bring Telemachus home.
Bk XIV:1-47 Odysseus finds Eumaeus the swineherd where she had said.
Bk XIV:165-234 She grants courage in battle.
Bk XV:1-55 She tells Telemachus to return home, and of the Suitors’ ambush.
Bk XV:222-270 Telemachus sacrifices to her.
Bk XV:271-300 She sends Telemachus a favourable wind.
Bk XVI:154-212 She transforms Odysseus again and tells him to reveal his identity to Telemachus.
Bk XVI:258-320 She will fight on Odysseus’ side.
Bk XVI:393-451 Bk XIX:554-604 Bk XXI:311-358 She closes Penelope’s eyes in sleep.
Bk XVI:452-481 She disguises Odysseus as a beggar again.
Bk XVII:328-395 She prompts Odysseus to beg among the Suitors.
Bk XVIII:50-116 She enhances Odysseus’ strength.
Bk XVIII:117-157 She has marked out Amphinomus for death.
Bk XVIII:158-205 She prompts Penelope to go into the hall, and enhances her beauty.
Bk XVIII:206-283 Telemachus invokes her.
Bk XVIII:340-393 She prolongs the Suitors’ insults.
Bk XIX:1-52 She lights the hall.
Bk XIX:476-507 She distracts Penelope’s attention.
Bk XX:1-55 She visits Odysseus in sleep to encourage him.
Bk XX:56-119 She blessed the daughters of Pandareus with skill in handiwork.
Bk XX:240-298 She ensures Odysseus is tested by the Suitors.
Bk XX:345-394 She addles the Suitors’ wits.
Bk XXI:1-79 She prompts Penelope to challenge the Suitors.
Bk XXII:200-240 She appears disguised as Mentor. She later takes the form of a swallow.
Bk XXII:241-309 She raises her aegis and causes panic among the Suitors.
Bk XXIII:205-246 She holds back the Dawn.
Bk XXIII:300-372 She rouses the Dawn.
Bk XXIV:356-411 She enhances Laertes’ looks.
Bk XXIV:463-501 Zeus advises her to make peace.
Bk XXIV:502-54 Athene ends the conflict.
Athens
The chief city of Attica, sacred to Pallas Athene.
Bk III:253-312 Sunium to the south.
Bk VII:78-132 Athene travels there.
Bk XI:225-332 Theseus was king there. The sacred hill of the Acropolis.
Atlas
Originally a Titan who ruled the Moon with Phoebe the Titaness. Leader of the Titans in their war with the gods. The son of Iapetus by the nymph Clymene. His brothers were Prometheus, Epimetheus and Menoetius. Represented as Mount Atlas in North-western Africa, holding up the heavens. Father of the Pleiades, Hyades and Hesperides.
Bk I:44-95 Bk VII:240-297 Father of Calypso, the Nymph of Ogygia.
Atreus
King of Mycenae, the son of Pelops. The father of Agamemnon and Menelaüs. His feud with his brother Thyestes led to a chain of fatal events.
Bk I:22-43 Bk III:148-200 Bk III:201-252 Bk IV:512-547
Bk IX:256-306 Bk XI:385-464 Bk XIII:366-415 Bk XXIV:1-56
Bk XXIV:98-204 The father of the ill-fated Agamemnon.
Bk III:102-147 Bk V:262-312 Bk XVII:61-106 Bk XIX:164-219 The father of the Atreides, Agamemnon and Menelaus. They quarrelled over the return journey from Troy.
Bk III:253-312 Bk IV:1-58 Bk IV:155-219 Bk IV:220-289
Bk IV:290-350 Bk XIV:457-506 Bk XV:1-55 Bk XV:56-119
Bk XV:120-182 Bk XVII:107-165 The father of Menelaus.
Atrytone
A title of Athene, its meaning unknown.
Bk IV:721-766 Used by Penelope.
Bk VI:316-33 Used by Odysseus.
Autolycus
The grandfather of Odysseus. He was a master trickster and thief, son of Hermes and Chione, and father of Anticleia, Odysseus’ mother.
Bk XI:51-89 Mentioned.
Bk XIX:361-47 Bk XXI:186-244 Bk XXIV:302-355 He named Odysseus (There is a play on the verb όδύσσασθαι, ‘to wish suffering upon’, and the name Όδυσσεύς, suggesting ‘man of suffering’.) Odysseus was wounded by a wild boar when hunting with Autolycus’ sons. Autolycus has a special relation ship with Hermes.
Autonoe
Penelope’s maid.
Bk XVIII:158-205 Penelope summons her.