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1200 BCE
Trojan War
The Trojan War was all started because Paris held Helen captive after he kidnapped her. Her husband, Menelaus (also a king), was very angry. To her her back, he summoned all of her past admirers who also so happened to be amazing leaders and fighters. After a while fighting. the trojan war was won by Menelaus and his Allies. -
1200 BCE
Trojan War
As an ally, Odysseus was able to go down in history as a great fighter. This forced him to unfortunately leave his beautiful home of Ithaca. Odysseus learned that there are some sacrifices that have to be made in order for the greater good. Those sacrifices being leaving his home, his wife and all to look forward to at home such as a great fortune and a son. -
1200 BCE
Lotus Eaters
To save his men, Odysseus had to drag them out and made sure they didn't escape the ship. Odysseus learns form this experience. He learns that he has to be strong for his men. He also learned that a leader not only takes charge but also makes decisions for the greater good. -
1200 BCE
Cyclops
Odysseus' guile was used to all their advantage. He, on the spot, was able to lie to a foolish being and get out of a tough situation. This ultimately helped Odysseus and his men. He first got them all in a tough situation when he decided to stay instead of continuing on their route. Unfortunately, one of the worst things that could happen, happened (they were were confronted by the cyclopes) but fortunately, Odysseus was able to used his leadership and cunning spirit for a quick escape. -
1200 BCE
Bag Of Wind
On their journey, Odysseus and his men end up at the land of Aeolus. As a gift after their stay, he gave Odysseus a bag of wind to blow him to Ithaca. He also gave him a bag of story winds that would blow them around and make their journey even harder. Odysseus' men out of greed and hope of finding riches, open the bad bag. This puts them in an even harder situation. -
1200 BCE
Bag of Wind
The bad bag of wind hut Odysseus and his men tremendously. It pushed them away from their destination and overall made their journey a lot harder. This also resulted in their ships being bombed because they ended up on the wrong side of the ocean. This not only prolongs their journey, but it also leads them to a presumed witch's castle who is also known as Circe. -
1200 BCE
Circe
Odysseus, in an act of honor, valor and somewhat stupidity, he offers himself in place of his men to ensure their safety. This put him in a dire situation because he is offering his great life for group of average men who don't compare. Fortunately Circe turns the men back at almost no cost except for dinner and a night with Odysseus. he also gained knowledge about what he has to do in order to get back to Ithaca such as going to the Underworld. -
1200 BCE
Sirens
When Odysseus and his men left Circe's island, they ran into a few obstacles on their way to Ithaca. Their first obstacle was the sirens. The crew plugged their ears with wax but Odysseus didn't. His curious and risky spirit refuses to follow suit. Instead, he tells his men to tie him to the front end and to leave his ears clear. -
1200 BCE
Sirens
Odysseus risky acts really reflect on his characteristics. Curiosity almost killed him and put the rest of his men in trouble as well. This also reflects another trait of Odysseus. That being arrogance. Similar to the Cyclopes, he uses his wit in a taunting, spoiled way. It also makes him appear to be inexperienced and amateur when it comes to creatures beyond his own kingdom. -
1200 BCE
Scylla/Charybdis
The second obstacle Odysseus and his crew face is the sea monster Sylla. Odysseus was warned by Circe of this creature but neglected to tell his crew. While battling the monster, Odysseus, unfortunately, lost 6 of his best men from each of his 6 ships. The last obstacle the men faced was Charybdis. Charybdis was a strong whirlpool that demolished anything that came its way. Similar to Scylla, it was a grave fight that ended with all of his crew perishing. -
1200 BCE
Scylla/ Charybdis
This reflected greatly on Odysseus. It also reflected on his leadership. It makes people outside of his own mind wonder why he didn't warn his crew. This may have been so that they didn't lose hope and die in an even more horrendous way. Although he made a tough decision that ended with the demise of his entire crew, he was still able to come up with that decision while under a lot of pressure. This reflects positively on Odysseus and it shows that he reflected the Greek values of that time. -
1200 BCE
Helios' Cattle
After The crew and Odysseus sailed from Circe's island, they landed on the island of the Sun. Exhausted from their previous destination, they rest there. Odysseus forbids the men from eating the cattle of Helios. Instead of heading his warning, they instead eat the cattle anyway for six days straight. The Gods see this and punish all of the men including Odysseus. Zeus sent down a storm that pushed them toward Scylla and Charybdis. -
1200 BCE
Helios' Cattle
Similar to other events, this reflects greatly on Odysseus. It shows that he is a great leader and he thinks steps way ahead of others. He also seems as though in this scene he is respectful of others belongings. This may be only because they are on a God's island and he doesn't want to anger the God. Despite forewarning them, he is forced to suffer the consequences. -
1200 BCE
Suitors/ Home
After coming out of slavers, Odysseus was finally able to get home. He didn't want to reveal his identity yet out of fear of the suitors ganging up on him and killing him for his title and power. He successfully reconciles with both his son and his servant and tells them both to keep his secret. They comply and he enters the competition. He successfully strings the bow back and he kills the suitors. after killing them he convinces Penelope that he is actually who he says he is, Odysseus! -
1200 BCE
Suitors/Home
This positively reflects Odysseus. It shows his loyalty to his island and his family. He risks his life multiple times on the journey. He even risks his life when he gets to Ithaca. If he were to be found out as Odysseus instead of a beggar, then he would have been killed then. He is so determined to get home, he is willing to do anything and in return, he is rewarded his thrown back and his family. -
1200 BCE
Lotus Eaters
On their way back home, Odysseus and his men ran into a few obstacles. One obstacle was the lotus eaters. When they stopped at Ismarus, they were tricked by the natives to eat the lotus flowers. The flowers made them completely content and took away their will to get home. -
1200 BCE
Cyclops
They conquered their first obstacle of their journey, and immediately ran into the next one: the cyclopes (barbarians who ate humans). Him and his men were told to just steal cattle but instead, Odysseus let his curiosity get to the best of him and he stayed. After getting caught up in trouble with the Cyclopes, he not only lies about his name to the Cyclopes, but he also stabs it in the eye. When the Cyclopes goes to tell his other men , they are all confused because he says Nobody stabbed him. -
1200 BCE
Circe
When they got to Circe's island, they split up into two groups (one lead by Eurylochus and the other by Polites) They were instantly greeted by Circe and her wolves who didn't attack but instead took a liking to Odysseus men. She lured them in and proposed a wonderful buffet. She then uncovered her plan and turned all the men into pigs. To avoid any further punishment, Eurylochus ran away from her castle to Odysseus to warn him and to ru away from the problem leaving the rest of the men behind.
