Odysseus is the cunning epic hero in Homer’s poem The Odyssey, which details his adventures as he tries to make his way back home from the Trojan War. Odysseus is best known as the mastermind behind the Trojan Horse.
Odysseus was the central figure of the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer. Odysseus was the king of Ithaca, and he left his wife, Penelope, and newborn son Telemachus behind when he went to go fight for King Agamemnon in the Trojan War. The war itself lasted for ten years, and it was brought to an end when Odysseus came up with the ingenious idea to build a giant horse, hide thirty men inside of it, and present it as a surrender gift to the Trojans. Once the horse was pulled inside the walls of the city, the men waited until the Trojans were asleep and opened the gates for the Greek army to come in and win the war.
Odysseus and his men set out for home, but they were diverted by many adventures. Odysseus brought a curse on their journey by mocking Polyphemus, the cyclops son of Poseidon, after he and his men stabbed out his one eye. Poseidon cursed the crew by foiling many of their plans, fooling with the weather, and making their navigation nearly impossible. Finally, Odysseus met with the dead blind prophet Tiresias in the Land of the Dead, who warned Odysseus that if his men were to eat the cattle of the sun god Helios, they would never see home again, and Odysseus’ trip would be delayed even further. Sure enough, after being trapped by a month-long storm, the starving men chose to eat the cattle while Odysseus was asleep. Zeus destroyed Odysseus’ men and ships, and it took him a total of 20 years to get back to Ithaca.
Once he reached his home, Odysseus discovered that many suitors had come to demand his wife’s hand in marriage since they believed Odysseus to be dead. They were odious, disrespectful men, and they planned to kill Odysseus’ son Telemachus once he reached 21. Odysseus, with the help of Athena and Telemachus, disguised himself as an old beggar and infiltrated the suitors. When the time was right, he revealed his identity, and he, Telemachus, and Odysseus’ swineherd Eumaeus killed all of the suitors.
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Try it for Free!Odysseus Hero Reference
Parents
Laertes and Anticlea
Notable Myths
- The Trojan War
- Polyphemus
- Death of the Suitors
Symbols / Attributes
Odysseus’ bow
Companions
Penelope, Circe, Calypso
How Tos about Odysseus: Greek Mythology
How to teach students about Odysseus using visual storytelling
Engage students by introducing Odysseus through images from ancient art, comics, or illustrated retellings. Visual storytelling hooks learners and helps them connect emotionally with the legendary hero’s journey.
Select key scenes from Odysseus’s adventures
Choose 3–5 memorable moments from Odysseus’s story, such as the Cyclops encounter or the Sirens. Highlighting important events makes the myth more accessible and memorable for students.
Guide students to create their own comic strips
Have students draw or digitally design comic panels showing Odysseus’s challenges and triumphs. Encourage creativity and let students use captions and speech bubbles to tell the story in their own words.
Facilitate a class discussion on Odysseus’s character traits
Lead a conversation about what makes Odysseus a hero, such as cleverness, bravery, and determination. Connect his traits to real-life situations or modern-day heroes for relevance.
Display and celebrate student work
Showcase comic strips on a bulletin board or class website. Celebrating student projects builds confidence and reinforces their learning about Odysseus and Greek mythology.
Frequently Asked Questions about Odysseus: Greek Mythology
Who was Odysseus in Greek mythology?
Odysseus was a legendary Greek hero best known for his cleverness and leadership during the Trojan War and his long journey home, as told in Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey.
What is Odysseus famous for?
Odysseus is most famous for devising the Trojan Horse strategy and for his adventurous journey home to Ithaca, which involved overcoming many challenges and mythical creatures.
Why is Odysseus considered a hero?
Odysseus is considered a hero because of his bravery, intelligence, and resourcefulness in both battle and problem-solving. His actions set examples of leadership and perseverance.
What are some important adventures Odysseus had?
Some of Odysseus’ most important adventures include escaping the Cyclops Polyphemus, resisting the Sirens, and surviving encounters with Scylla and Charybdis on his journey home.
How can teachers use the story of Odysseus in the classroom?
Teachers can use Odysseus’ story to teach lessons on mythology, problem-solving, and character traits like courage and wisdom, making literature and history fun and relatable for students.
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