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10 years before the current events of the book, the Greek city-state of Troy fell at the end of the Trojan War.
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During Odysseu's travels back from the war, a nymph named calypso had fallen madly in love with Odysseus and trapped him on her island.
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Believing Odysseus to be dead, 108 suitors pillage his land and occupy his castle in hopes of marrying Odysseus's wife.
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Athena helps Odysseus's son, Telemachus, get rid of the suitors and learn that his father is still alive.
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Zeus sends Hermes to Ogygia to free Odysseus. Hermes convinces Calypso to let Odysseus build a boat to leave.
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The Phaeacians in Scheria give him a warm welcome from the royal family, who have heard of his exploits. Odysseus tells them of all his adventures.
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As Odysseus sets sail, Poseidon, who's angry at Odysseus for blinding his son, sends a storm to wreck his ship. Athena then saves Odysseus.
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The Phaeacians gave Odysseus passage to his home in Ithaca. But Athena disguises him as a beggar because the suitors are back, and not happy. They're planning on murder.
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Oddyseus meets back with his son and they begin to plan how to get rid of the suitors. Odysseus gets back in his palace where a servant recognizes him and his wife suspects that he has returned.
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Penelope creates a contest where whoever can string Odysseus's bow and fire it through 12 axes, she will marry. Every suitor attempts and fails.
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Odysseus, disguised, completes his wife's challenge with ease, and then he uses his bow to kill all the suitors with the help of his son and a few servants.
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Odysseus reveals himself and reunites with his beloved wife, and then goes to meet his father, Laertes, when the suitors' families attack. Laertes and Athena fight them off and keep peace.
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Odysseus's long journey is now over, and he and his family can live happily.