Characters from The Odyssey

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key characters from The Odyssey.

Alcinous

King of the Phiakians, host to Odysseus, father of Nausikaa, husband of Arete.

Antinous

Hotheaded ringleader of Penelope's suitors.

Charybdis

A dangerous whirlpool Odysseus must sail by.

Circe

Enchantress who turns the men to swine, host to Odysseus and his men for a year.

Laertes

Father of Odysseus, past king of Ithaca.

Teiresias

Blind prophet met by Odysseus in the land of the dead who foretells Odysseus’ future.

Eurymachus

Rational suitor to Penelope.

Eumaeus

Faithful swineherd of Odysseus.

Odysseus

Brilliant Greek warrior and hero of the Odyssey.

Penelope

Faithful wife of Odysseus, mother of Telemakhos.

Poseidon

God of the sea, the immortal antagonist in The Odyssey, he is mad at Odysseus for blinding his son Polyphemos.

Melantho

Disloyal maidservant to Odysseus.

Argos

Odysseus’ loyal dog who he raised and gets to see one last time before he passes away when Odysseus returns.

Melanthios

Disloyal goatherd to Odysseus.

Cyclops

One eyed race of giants, Odysseus encounters the cyclops Polyphemos.

Scylla

6 headed sea monster that Odysseus passes who eats 6 of his men.

Lotus Eaters

Odysseus and his men land on the island and they feed them drug-like berries.

Helios

Sun god whose sacred cattle are eaten by Odysseus’ crew.

Eurykleia

Old and faithful nurse to Odysseus.

Antikleia

Mother of Odysseus who committed suicide out of grief.

Philotios

Faithful cowherd to Odysseus.

Sirens

Monster mermaids who Odysseus and his crew pass.

Telemachus

Son of Odysseus and Penelope, secondary hero of the Odyssey.

Zeus

King of the gods, brother of Poseidon, father of Athena, ruler on mount Olympus.

Athena

Goddess of wisdom, battle, and the womanly arts; patron of Odysseus.

Eurylokhos

Second in command to Odysseus during his travels.

Nausikaa

Phaiakian princess, daughter of Alkinoos, who rescues Odysseus and has a crush on him.

Medon

The crier, spared during the slaughter.

Calypso

Beautiful nymph who detains Odysseus eight years at the island of Ogygia.

Cicones

People at Ismaros, raided by Odysseus after the Trojan war.

Menelaus

Brother of Agamemnon, husband of Helen, host to Telemakhos.

Helen

Wife of Menelaos, carried off to Troy by Paris, causing the Trojan War.

Agamemnon

King of Mycenae, Greek leader at Troy, murdered by his wife after he returned, brother of Menelaos.

Leukothea

Sea nymph who gives Odysseus a magic veil so he doesn’t drown.

Phemios

Bard at the palace of Odysseus, spared in the slaughter.