Classics 270- Chapters 21 &22

Neoptolemus

Son of Achilles. He was said to be one of the things needed to win the Trojan war by the prophet Calchas. He was summoned by Odysseus to join the army and also went with him to recover the bow of Heracles from Philoctetes.

Laocoön

A priest of Poseidon who claimed that the Trojan horse was a trick and should be destroyed, so he hurled his spear into the horse’s side. He was then killed by two serpents that arose from the sea which the Trojans falsely took as a divine punishment for making untrue claims, but they were really unrelated to the horse.

Polyxena

Youngest daughter of Priam who was killed by Neoptolemus over the tomb of Achilles. Her blood pouring into the grave to quench the dead warrior’s thirst.

Nostoi

Term meaning “homecomings,” it is the genre of ancient epics that tells of the return of the heroes from Troy and what happened to them. An example is Homer’s Odyssey.

Oresteia

Trilogy that tell of Agamemnon’s return to Argos, his murder by Clytemnestra, and Orestes’ revenge. The three plays it is made up of is Agamemnon, Libation Bearers, and Eumenides

Troilus

The youngest son of Priam who has different story versions. In one version he was killed by Achilles and in another he is portrayed as a brave warrior who fought throughout the Trojan war.

Orestes

Son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra and brother to Electra. He was raised near Delphi and returns to Argos to avenge the murder of his father, by killing his Clytemnestra.

Electra

Daughter to Agamemnon and Clytemnestra and sister to Orestes. She helps Orestes kill Clytemnestra as she is bitter that she killed Agamemnon.

Furies

Also know as the Erinyes, they are ferocious female spirits who punish broken oaths and haunt anyone who sheds kindred blood, driving them into madness. They were birthed by Gaea who used the drops of blood that fell from the wound of Uranus

Eumenides

New name given to the Furies meaning “the kindly ones.” It was given to them after the trial of Orestes when Athena appeased them by assigning them a permanent place in Athens as beneficent spirits.

Lotus Eaters

They inhabit a mythical land and consume a drug that makes men forgetful of their home and their purpose. Odysseus and his crew are blown out of course to their land.

Cyclopes

One-eyed giants born of the union between Gaea and Uranus. They were the clever smiths of the gods who made weapons of victory.

Polyphemus

A Cyclopes who imprisoned Odysseus and his men in his cave. He is eventually outsmarted and blinded by Odysseus and his men who are then able to escape his island.

Aeolus

The wind king whose island Odysseus landed on during his journey home. He feasted with Odysseus and his men and gives him the special gift of a sealed bag that contains dangerous winds, which he warns Odysseus never to open.

Laestrygonians

Cannibals who Odysseus and his crew encounter during their journey home. They destroyed his crew’s ships and ate most of the crew before Odysseus and some of his men could escape

Circe

Daughter of Helius who lives in Aeaea. She turns some of Odysseus’ crew into pigs and she tries to turn Odysseus into a pig too. She eventually releases Odysseus’ men from their enchantment and allows them to continue on their journey.

Sirens

Beings whose song no man can resist. Odysseus and his men encounter them on their journey and Odysseus endures their song by ordering his men to tie him to the mast and not release him.

Charybdis

An enormous whirlpool that sucks down and spits up a torrent of water three times a day. It stands on one side of a narrow strait across from Scylla.

Scylla

A monster with twelve feet and six long necks, each with its own head. Each head has three rows of teeth. She seizes six of Odysseus’ men, and devours them when they have to journey past her.

Calypso

A beautiful nymph who loved Odysseus and offered him eternal life, if he married her. She is informed by Hermes that Odysseus will not marry her as he has been released by Zeus suffering from Poseidon and can make it home.

Phaeacians

Inhabitants of the island of Scheria who were great seafarers. Odysseus lands on their island after swimming for three days and three nights and they give him many gifts and transport him to Ithaca.

Nausicaä

Daughter of the Phaeacian king Alcinoüs. While doing laundry at the sea she encounters Odysseus who had washed up on shore and helps him back to the city.

Telemachus

Son of Odysseus who had gone abroad in hopes of finding some news about his father. When he returns to Ithaca he avoids an ambush by the suitors by landing on the back side of the island. There he meets the just arrived Odysseus who reveals his true identity.

Argus

Faithful dog of Odysseus who is the only one to recognize Odysseus when he returns to Ithaca. When he does he perks up his ears and then immediate drops dead.

Antinoüs

Leader of the suitors who keep pressuring Penelope to chose a new husband. When Odysseus arrives to him and the other suitors disguised as a beggar they revile him and throw a stool and a a hoof at his head.

Euryclea

Nurse who suckled Odysseus when he was an infant. She is asked by Penelope to wash Odysseus’, who is disguised as a beggar, feet. While doing so, she realizes it is Odysseus by recognizing a scar on his thigh