The Odyssey Characters and Terms

Flashcards to review characters, places, and key vocabulary from The Odyssey.

Agamemnon

King of Mycenae and brother of Menelaus; leader of the Greek forces against Troy; killed by Aegisthus upon returning home.

Alcinous

King of the Phaeacians known for his wisdom; father of Nausicaa.

Antinous

A leading suitor who disrespects Telemachus and plots to kill him; is rude to Odysseus in disguise and is killed first

Athena

Goddess of strategic skill, warfare, weaving, and expertise; symbol is the olive tree and a bird of prey.

Calypso

Goddess living on Ogygia who holds Odysseus captive as her husband until ordered to release him; helps Odysseus in building a raft.

Charybdis

Monstrous goddess in the form of a giant whirlpool; Odysseus escapes death at her hands.

Circe

Daughter of the Sun God; possesses magical powers and turns humans into animals; advises Odysseus and his crew before their trip to the underworld.

Eumaeus

A loyal swineherd and slave of Odysseus who aids him in reclaiming his throne.

Eurycleia

The old nurse of Odysseus and Telemachus, and she recognizes Odysseus by his scar.

Eurymachus

A prominent and vocal suitor of Penelope.

Helen

Daughter of Zeus and wife of Menelaus; her abduction by Paris initiates the Trojan War.

Kleos

Glory or fame.

Laestrygonians

Cannibal giants who attack Odysseus and his crew.

Menelaus

King of Sparta, husband of Helen, and brother of Agamemnon; shows xenia to Telemachus.

Mentor

A common disguise of Athena when she assists Telemachus.

Nausicaa

Phaeacian princess, daughter of Alcinous and Arete.

• She helps Odysseus by providing him with clothes and guidance to her father’s place, and grace

Nestor

King of Pylos who fought alongside Odysseus in the Trojan War; shows Telemachus xenia.

Nostos

A hero's homecoming or return from a long journey.

Odysseus

King of Ithaca and the main character of the Odyssey.

Penelope

Wife of Odysseus and mother of Telemachus; known for her loyalty.

Phaeacians

The inhabitants of the island of Scheria.

Polyphemus

A Cyclops and son of Poseidon; blinded by Odysseus.

Poseidon

God of the sea; angry at Odysseus for blinding his son Polyphemus.

Scylla

Sea goddess with six heads who dwells near Charybdis.

Sirens

Mythical creatures whose songs lure sailors to their deaths.

Suppliant/Supplication

An action or way to show respect to someone or something.

Telemachus

Son of Odysseus and Penelope; assists his father in defeating the suitors.

Tiresias

Famous blind Theban seer whom Odysseus seeks out in the underworld.

Troy

The city where the Trojan War took place.

Xenos/Xenia

Hospitality and the relationship between guest and host; protected by Zeus.

Zeus

Most powerful of the gods; associated with kingship, fatherhood, and hospitality