The hero Odysseus in Homer's epic from Greek mythology
Book Seventeen
|
Disguised once more as an old beggar, Odysseus journeys to town. On the trail he encounters an insolent goatherd named Melanthius, who curses and tries to kick him.
At his castle gate, the hero is recognized by Argos, a broken-down old dog that he had raised as a pup. Having seen his master again, the faithful hound dies. At Athena's urging Odysseus begs food from the suitors. One man, Antinous, berates him and refuses so much as a crust. He hurls a footstool at Odysseus, hitting him in the back. This makes even the other suitors nervous, for sometimes the gods masquerade as mortals to test their righteousness. |
 |  | 
|
|
Melanthius (meh-LAN-thih-us)
Argos (AR-goss) Antinous (an-TIN-oh-us) As one of the ringleaders of the suitors, it was Antinous who accused Odysseus' wife of duplicity in unraveling her weaving every night so that she would not have to marry one of the suitors upon its completion. |
|
 Featuring the hero Odysseus in Homer's epic from Greek mythology
|
|
Book Seventeen
|
|
Disguised once more as an old beggar, Odysseus journeys to town. On the trail he encounters an insolent goatherd named Melanthius, who curses and tries to kick him.
At his castle gate, the hero is recognized by Argos, a broken-down old dog that he had raised as a pup. Having seen his master again, the faithful hound dies. At Athena's urging Odysseus begs food from the suitors. One man, Antinous, berates him and refuses so much as a crust. He hurls a footstool at Odysseus, hitting him in the back. This makes even the other suitors nervous, for sometimes the gods masquerade as mortals to test their righteousness. |
| |
|
|
Melanthius (meh-LAN-thih-us)
Argos (AR-goss) Antinous (an-TIN-oh-us) As one of the ringleaders of the suitors, it was Antinous who accused Odysseus' wife of duplicity in unraveling her weaving every night so that she would not have to marry one of the suitors upon its completion. |