Odysseus
When I finished my story, Alkínoös had my ship loaded up with assorted treasures. We then said our farewells and I departed for home. The following day, I found myself lying on a strange beach surrounded by my gifts. At first, I thought I had been tricked and marooned on some unknown island. However, a passing fisherman told me that I was in Ithika. I had a long story to explain my background but after I had finished telling it, the fisherman dissolved to take the form of a beautiful woman. She confessed herself to be Athena, told me she had been helping me for quite some tim
e, and vowed to stand behind me when I fought the suitors. She soon left me to bring Télémakhos back from Sparta, but before departing disguised me with magic, turning me into an old man.
When I finished my story, Alkínoös had my ship loaded up with assorted treasures. We then said our farewells and I departed for home. The following day, I found myself lying on a strange beach surrounded by my gifts. At first, I thought I had been tricked and marooned on some unknown island. However, a passing fisherman told me that I was in Ithika. I had a long story to explain my background but after I had finished telling it, the fisherman dissolved to take the form of a beautiful woman. She confessed herself to be Athena, told me she had been helping me for quite some tim
e, and vowed to stand behind me when I fought the suitors. She soon left me to bring Télémakhos back from Sparta, but before departing disguised me with magic, turning me into an old man. Poseidon's temple gives a great scope of his unparalleled power and fierceness.
I just found out that Poseidon punished the Phaiákians for helping me! I feel really horrible about that. Alkínoös certainly seemed to know that someday they woupd be punished by Poseidon for helping s guest but they didn’t even seem to hesitate to help me. I wonder why this was… there are a few possible options I can think of. He might have been too afraid to offend a guest who might not have fulfilled the prophecy or perhaps they had forgotten about it or doubted that it would happen right then. Hey wait! I even told them that Poseidon was mad at me. They were very generous to help me after that. Once one loses the favor of the gods, they seem to lose it for a very long time. Once the gods hate you , that’s really it. I could probably sacrifice 100 heifters to Poseidon and he wouldn’t be satisfied. Was it worth it worth it for the Phaiákians to help me at the expense of angering Poseidon? I guess that depends on how angry Poseidon is and how grateful I am.
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