Who were the parents of Odysseus?
Odysseus was the son of Laërtes and Anticlea. He was the grandson of the trickster god Hermes through his maternal grandfather Autolycus.
Common questions about Odysseus
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How did Odysseus avoid the Trojan War?
Odysseus feigned insanity by plowing his fields with an ox and a donkey to avoid the conflict. The ruse was exposed when the general Palamedes placed Odysseus's infant son Telemachus in front of the plow.
What happened to Odysseus during his journey home from Troy?
Odysseus spent ten years navigating treacherous waters and facing monsters like the Cyclops Polyphemus and the witch-goddess Circe. He was held captive by the nymph Calypso for seven years before the Phaeacians carried him home to Ithaca.
How did Odysseus reclaim his throne in Ithaca?
Odysseus returned to Ithaca disguised as a wandering beggar and revealed his identity by stringing his bow and shooting an arrow through twelve axe shafts. He then slaughtered the suitors with the help of his son Telemachus and two loyal servants.
How did Odysseus die according to the Telegony?
Odysseus was killed by his son Telegonus with a spear tipped with a stingray spine during a misunderstanding. Some traditions claim that Circe resurrected him before he died again of grief after his son Telemachus was killed by Cassiphone.