The Telemachy

Odysseus' son sets out to find news of his father

While Odysseus is still held captive on Calypso's island, his son Telemachus leaves Ithaca to seek news of him. Urged on by Athena in the guise of Mentor, he travels to Pylos and then Sparta, while back home the suitors plot an ambush for his return.

Books 1-2

A prince sets sail

With a ship lent by the goddess Athena and his most trusted crew, Telemachus leaves Ithaca by night, keeping the voyage secret even from his mother Penelope.

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Book 3

Pylos

In Book 3 of the Odyssey, Telemachus arrives at Pylos, guided by Athena disguised as Mentor. He finds King Nestor and his sons on the shore, in the midst of a great sacrifice to Poseidon. Nestor, the ...

Book 4

Sparta

Book 4 brings Telemachus to Sparta, to the palace of Menelaus, where a double wedding feast is underway. Menelaus and Helen — the very woman whose abduction sparked the Trojan War — recognize the rese...

Books 4, 15-16

The return, into an ambush

With news that his father is alive, Telemachus sets course for home. But the suitors, led by Antinous, have set an ambush at sea to stop him from returning.

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