Odysseus

The image above represents a replica of the wooden horse made by the Greeks during the war against Troy. It was Odysseus' idea to hide soldiers inside the horse. The horse was offered to the Troyans as a religious gift so that the citizens of Troy could not refuse it. With the horse, the Greeks soldiers could enter the city and win the war. The replica depicted above is conserved in Turkey. Click on image for full size (68K JPEG) Image courtesy of Corel Corporation.

During his journey he had many amazing adventures, but his brain helped him to survive. After ten years of traveling, he finally reached his house.

Because of Odysseus' long journey to reach his home, a NASA space mission has been named after his better known Roman name: The Ulysses mission.

The image above represents a replica of the horse made by the Greeks during the war against Troy. It was Odysseus' idea to hide soldiers inside the horse. The horse was offered to the Troyans as a religious gift so that the citizens of Troy could not refuse it. With the horse, the Greeks soldiers could enter the city and win the war. The replica depicted above is conserved in Turkey. Click on image for full size (68K JPEG) Image courtesy of Corel Corporation.

During his journey he had many incredible adventures, but his renowned intelligence helped him to survive the numerous difficulties, although his crew wasn't so lucky. After ten years of wandering, he finally reached his home.

During his long absence, many of his enemies tried to convince his wife Penelope to get married again. When Odysseus arrived, he disguised himself as a beggar. Only his old dog recognized him. Until that moment, Penelope remained faithful.

She had not seen her husband since the beginning of the war of Troy, twenty years before. After so many years, she was presumed to be a widow. Pressured by her suitors, she declared that she would marry only the man who could bend an extremely hard bow that belonged to Odysseus. All suitors attempted this, but only Odysseus succeeded.

Because of Odysseus' long journey to reach his home, a NASA space mission has been named after his better known Roman name: The Ulysses mission.

The image above represents a replica of the horse made by the Greeks during the war against Troy. It was Odysseus' idea to hide soldiers inside the horse. The horse was offered to the Troyans as a religious gift so that the citizens of Troy could not refuse it. With the horse, the Greeks soldiers could enter the city and win the war. The replica depicted above is conserved in Turkey. Click on image for full size (68K JPEG) Image courtesy of Corel Corporation.

Tyndareus offered to Menelaus the hand of Helen, and as an expression of gratitude, he offered Odysseus the hand of Penelope, a cousin of Helen. Only a few years after this, Paris of Troy abducted Helen. Menelaus asked all the old suitors of Helen to help him to fight against the aggressor. That is how the war of Troy began. To honor the promise he made as a suitor of Helen, Odysseus had to leave his wife Penelope and his newborn child Telemachus to fight against Troy. Long years passed until he could finally prepare to return to Ithaca.

Unfortunately, during his journey back to Ithaca, a violent storm made his ship land on Sicily, where the gigantic Cyclopes lived. To save himself and his companions, Odysseus blinded Polyphemus, one of the Cyclopes, who threatened to eat them. The sea god Poseidon, who was the father of Polyphemus, became so angry that he decided to obstruct Odysseus'return.

Odysseus encountered many obstacles, but his renowned cunning and intelligence helped him to survive the numerous difficulties that caused the death of all his companions. After many adventures and ten years of wandering, he finally reached Ithaca. During his long absence, many of his enemies tried to convince Odysseus' wife Penelope to get married again in order to take over his place as king of Ithaca.

Penelope had not seen her husband since the beginning of the war of Troy, twenty years before. After so many years, she was considered a widow. Pressured by her suitors, she declared that she would marry only the man who could bend an extremely hard bow that belonged to Odysseus. All the suitors attempted this, but none succeeded. Disguised as a beggar Odysseus bent his old bow, reclaimed his wife and killed his enemies.

Because of Odysseus' long journey to reach his home, a NASA space mission has been named after his better known Roman name: The Ulysses mission.