Finally, the last and final part of the article is Odysseus's journey back home. I had a really nice time writing this article, I can only hope it was as much fun for to you reading it too. He had quite the adventure and battled mythical creatures just to make it back home.
If you missed the previous parts of the article, you can assess them here
Check out my amazing sponsors, they are the bestOgygia (Calypso's Island).
The waves swept poor Odysseus to Ogygia, the home of the goddess, Calypso. This island was inhabited by only women. They were shocked to finally see a man on their Island. Calypso fancied the mighty Odysseus and had no intentions of letting him go. Soon the thought of home started to fade from his mind.
For seven years he remained on this island.
Athena, the goddess of wisdom finally interfered and asks Zeus to order Calypso to let him go.
Hermes, the messenger of the gods delivered the news to Calypso who was displeased to hear of this but had no choice but to let Odysseus leave.
With the wood from the island, Odysseus managed to build a small raft and set sail for home following Calypso's instruction to use the star as a compass.
Scheria (Island of the Phaeacians)
As he sailed once more for home, Poseidon sees him and sends a huge wave to destroy his raft. Odysseus tried to find his way through the violent waves but alas he was no match for the gods.
The frustrated Odysseus cries out in pain and anguish
"What do you want from me?"
"I want to show you that without gods man is nothing" - Poseidon replies
"Forgive me great one, you have denied me passage back home and for that, I have paid a huge price"
"What more do you want from me?"
A huge clap of waves is heard as Poseidon laughs as another big wave knocks poor Odysseus unconscious.
Finally learning his lesson, Poseidon lets him live for he has suffered enough. His body is swept ashore to the Scheria, the Island of the Phaeacians.
The Princess of Scheria-Princess Nausica was by the riverbank when her servants caught sight of a body. At first, they thought him to be dead but there was still air in his lungs. He was carried to the palace where he was taken good care of by the princess. When he was feeling better, the King, Alcinous invited him to a feast. He then decided to ask Odysseus who he was.
With tears heavy in his eyes, he told the king the whole story. The King soon recognized Odysseus as the Hero who brought about the idea of the Trojan horse that led the Greeks to win the 10-year war against the Trojans.
He immediately orders his men to get a ship ready to take "King" Odysseus of Ithaca home.
Odysseus remembers the warning his mother gave him when he went into the Underworld.
"There are men in your palace that seek to take your throne"
With that in mind, Odysseus took caution as he went back home. Athena disguised him as a beggar to aid him with the task of securing his Kingdom.
Ithaca, Odysseus returns home
Odysseus was so pleased to be back home but his journey wasn't quite over. His palace was filled with suitors who seek the beautiful Penelope's hand in marriage.
She had delayed them long enough hoping for the day Odysseus would return.
Telemachus was already a man, he had searched far and wide for his father but was informed by King Agamemnon that they had left troy at the same time, it was possible Odysseus must have died on his way back to the sea.
The sad Telemachus returns home with the sad news to his mother. Penelope prays to the goddess Athena for guidance as she was about to select a suitor.
Before Odysseus left for war, he had left a bow for his son as a parting gift before sailing for troy. The bow was so strong that no one could string it.
This was the challenge Penelope had laid down for anyone who chooses to marry her.
"I will marry anyone who can string this bow and shoot an arrow through twelve ax head arranged in a straight line with the said bow"
All the suitors tried and failed.
"Can I try?" The old beggar requested, seeing as they couldn't do it, they allowed him to take a turn.
With one move the beggar was able to string the bow, drew up an arrow, and shot it through all the twelve ax heads.
Only one man could have strung the bow and shoot with so much precision, Odysseus.
The suitors stood in shock as the disguise wore off revealing Odysseus.
He immediately drew up more arrows and killed all the suitors for trying to steal his wife and dishonoring their king.
Odysseus was finally reunited with his wife and son.
The end
Odysseus was a clever man, but he let his pride have the best of him and for that, he was punished. Though this story may simply be regarded as a myth there is no denying that there were a couple of lessons to be learned from experience. The most important one is "Humility". No matter how good you are, there is always someone better, give thanks and honor when due, remember, pride comes just before a fall.
What lessons did you get from his adventure?
References
What do i need to read to understand all these mythology more?