Books I – IV Timeline By Jason Xu

Books I-II Council of the Gods Athena visits Telemakhos in the form of Mentes Books III-IV... Athena convinces Telemakhos to find his father Penelope weeps as she listens to the minstrel’s song Telemakhos warns the suitors Telemakhos calls an assembly of the Ithakans Eagles fly over the crowd Athena encourages Telemakhos Telemakhos tells no one of the journey except Eurykleia. links

Books III-IV Back to Books I-II Telemakhos sees a grand sacrificing celebration Telemakhos asks King Nestor about Odysseus Nestor heard about how suitors have taken over the palace in Ithaka Telemakhos asks about Agamemnon Athena reveals her divinity Telemakhos arrives in Sparta Menelaus and Helen tell stories Telemakhos refuses Menelaus’ offer to stay Suitors hear of Telemakhos’ journey

Council of the Gods Timeline Zeus meditates on the fate of Agamemnon and the death of Aigisthos and Klymenstra at the hands of Agamemnon’s son, Orestes. Athena convinces Zeus to allow her to help Odysseus.

Athena visits Telemakhos in the form of Mentes Athena, in the form of Mentor, an old family friend of Odysseus, shows up at the gates of the palace. Telemakhos welcomes her/him in and gives him/her food to eat, showing much xenia. Timeline “A maid brought them a silver finger bowl and filled it out of a beautiful sprouting golden jug, then drew a polished table to their side.” (I, 5, )

Athena convinces Telemakhos to find his father Athena tells Telemakhos of the times he spent with Odysseus and tells Telemakhos to tell the suitors to go “scattering to their homes.” (I, ). Athena also convinces Telemakhos to search for his father: “Then here’s a course for you, if you agree: / get a sound craft afloat with twenty oars / and go abroad for news of your lost father.” (I, ) Timeline

Penelope weeps as she listens to the minstrel’s song The minstrel Phemios sings a song about the homecoming of the Greeks. Penelope asks him to stop the tale. Telemakhos tells his mother wisely of how Odysseus is not the only hero not to return home. Shows Telemakhos’ wisdom: “The lady [Penelope] gazed in wonder and withdrew, / her son’s clear wisdom echoing in her mind. (I, ) Timeline

Telemakhos warns the suitors Timeline Telemakhos informs the suitors that the next morning he will call an assembly where he will tell all of the “insolent men” to leave the palace. “At daybreak we shall sit down in assembly / and I shall tell you- take it as you will- / you are to leave this hall. Go feasting elsewhere, / consume your own stores. Turn and turn about, / use one another’s houses.” (I, 13, )

Telemakhos calls an assembly of the Ithakans Telemakhos calls an assembly the morning after Athena appears as Mentes. This is the first assembly since Odysseus left for the Trojan War. Telemakhos tells of how the suitors disrespect the palace and “spend their days around our house / killing our beeves and sheep and fatted goats, / carousing, soaking up our good dark wine, not caring what they do.” (II, ) The suitors also respond to him (with insults) and reveal some of Penelope’s “trickery” Timeline

Eagles fly over the crowd Eagles, sent by Zeus, appear over the crowd. Halitherses reads this as an omen that Odysseus will return. The suitors call this foolishness and the meeting ends. Timeline “Now Zeus…sent a sign to him, launching a pair of eagles from a mountain crest in gliding flight…wing-tip to wing-tip quivering taunt.

Athena encourages Telemakhos Athena, once again appearing as Mentor, tells Telemakhos the journey will be successful. Athena later takes the form of Telemakhos in town and finds a crew and ship for the journey. Timeline

Telemakhos tells no one about the journey except Eurykleia. When Telemakhos leaves, the wise old nurse Eurykleia packs food for the journey and vows not to tell his mother about the journey. Timeline

Telemakhos sees a grand sacrificing celebration When Telemakhos reaches Pylos, he sees a grand sacrifice going on: “On the shore / black bulls were being offered / to the blue-maned god: / nine congregations…led out nine bulls apiece to sacrifice, / taking the tripes to eat, while on their altars / thighbones in fat lay burning for the god.” (III. 35, 7-11). Timeline

Telemakhos asks King Nestor about Odysseus Athena encourages Telemakhos, who has no experience in public speaking, to ask the king about Odysseus. Nestor, however, does not have any information about Odysseus. Nestor left with Menelaus, who departed immediately. Odysseus stayed with Agamemnon, who had waited a day before leaving to sacrifice to the gods. Timeline

Nestor heard about how suitors have taken over the palace in Ithaka Nestor adds that he hopes Telemakhos brings honor to his home like Orestes, son of Agamemnon, shows after the murder of his father. Timeline

Telemakhos asks about Agamemnon Nestor explains how Agamemnon was murdered by Aigisthios, who married Agamemnon’s wife, and would of taken over the kingdom if Orestes, Agamemnon’s son, had shows up and killed Aigisthios. Nestor says the courage of Orestes is the example Telemakhos must follow. Timeline

Athena reveals her divinity Athena shreds the form of Mentor and turns into an eagle….. Before the eyes of the entire court of Pylos too….. Timeline

Telemakhos arrives in Sparta Telemakhos arrives in Sparta, where the King Menelaus and his wife Helen are celebrating the separate marriages of their son and daughter. Telemakhos and Nestor’s son Pisistratus are welcomed. They are invited to a feast where Menelaus recognizes Telemakhos as son of Odysseus. Timeline

Menelaus and Helen tell stories Menelaus tells his guests the story of the Trojan Horse, where Odysseus’ cunning allowed the Greeks to win the war. Helen also tells how Odysseus had dressed as a beggar to sneak into the city walls. Many people start weeping after the stories. Menelaus also tells the story of his return home, where he was stranded in Egypt for some time. Timeline

Telemakhos refuses Menelaus’ offer to stay Telemakhos respectfully tells Menelaus he must continue on his journey to find Odysseus. Shows maturity and good public speaking. “Lord, son of Atreus, no, you must not keep me. / Not that a year with you would be too long: / I could never be homesick here – I find / your tales and all you say so marvelous. / But time hangs heavy on my shipmates’ hands at holy Pylos, if you make me stay.” (IV, ) Timeline

Suitors hear of Telemakhos’ journey Timeline The suitors figure out Telemakhos is not in Ithaka when Mentor is seen in Ithaka when he was supposed to on the ship with Telemakhos. They plan an ambush for him. Medon hears about the plan and warns Penelope.