The Odyssey - Characters and Terms Review

Flashcards for key characters, locations, and terms from The Odyssey.

Calypso

Nymph who wanted Odysseus to stay on her island.

Odysseus

Main hero and character in The Odyssey, loyal to his home and family, with a notable ego; also the narrator.

Homer

The poet credited with composing The Odyssey.

Eurylochus

A member of Odysseus's crew who led the men to defeat Circe and convinced them to eat the sacred cows.

Circe

A goddess who kept Odysseus under her control and turned his men into pigs.

Teiresias

A blind prophet who gives prophecies to Odysseus in the Land of the Dead.

Sirens

Creatures who lure men in with their songs and then kill them.

Scylla

A six-headed creature created by Circe out of jealousy that eats six men from passing ships.

Antinous

A lead suitor with a big ego who disrespects Greek values.

Charybdis

A whirlpool created to prevent people from avoiding Scylla.

Telemachus

Odysseus's son.

Beeve

Cow

Athena

Odysseus’ patron goddess, goddess of wisdom and war

Eumaeus

Odysseus’ swineherd, like a father to Telemachus

Helios

Sun god from which the cattle were stolen and eaten by the men

Cicones

Fought Odysseus, had an advantage of their land, were on horseback, and surprise attacked