Homer, The Odyssey, Book 18 - The Beggar’s Contest

Homer, The Odyssey, Book 18 (of 24)
"The Beggar’s Contest"

About The Odyssey:
The Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic poem composed in dactylic hexameter. It consists of 24 books and is attributed to the poet Homer, although it likely preserves a much older storytelling tradition. The poem follows Ulysses (Odysseus), the king of Ithaca, as he attempts to return home after fighting in the Trojan War. The Odyssey holds major cultural significance as one of the foundational texts of Western literature. It influenced ancient education, storytelling, and values, and has preserved key aspects of Greek mythology, heroism, and social customs.

About Book 18:
Ulysses (Odysseus) fights another beggar, Irus, and wins. The suitors continue mocking him, unaware of his true identity. Penelope appears, encouraged by Minerva (Athena), and charms the suitors to gain gifts. Ulysses warns one suitor, Amphinomus, of impending doom. The suitors grow more arrogant, and Ulysses’s patience is tested. The palace becomes a stage for deception, as Ulysses gathers intelligence and allies for his revenge.

English Translation:
Samuel Butler (1900)

Image:
"Gevecht tussen Odysseus en Irus. Les Travaux d'Ulysse" by Theodoor van Thulden
Rijksmuseum, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Music:
Ottorino Respighi, “Pini di Roma” (1925), The President's Own Marine Band,
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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