No More Learning

Odoacer took up his residence at Ravenna, and, According to the Homeric account, he was the
according to his promise, divided one third of the grandson of Arcesius, and a son of Laërtes and
soil of Italy among his barbarian followers, a mea- Anticleia, the daughter of Autolycus, and brother
sure which was perhaps less cruel towards the of Ctimene. He was married to Penelope, the
Italians than it would appear, since the country daughter of Icarius, by whom he became the
was depopulated, and many estates without an father of Telemachus. (Od. i. 329, xi. 85, xv. 362,
owner and lying waste. On the whole, Odoacer, xvi. 118, &c. ) But according to a later tradition
who was the first barbarian that sat on the throne he was a son of Sisyphus and Anticleia, who, when
of Italy, was a wise, well-disposed, and energetic with child by Sisyphus, was married to Laërtes,
ruler, and knew how to establish order within and and thus gave birth to him either after her arrival
peace without his dominions, as far as the miserable in Ithaca, or on her way thither. (Soph. Phil.
moral condition of the Romans, the reckless spirit | 417, with the Schol. , Ajax, 190 ; 01. Met. xii.
of their barbarian masters, and the daring rapa. 32, Ars Am. iii. 313 ; Plut. Quaest. Graec. 43;
city of their neighbours were compatible with a comp. Hom. N. iii. 201. ) Later traditions further
setiled state of things. Among his measures at state that besides Telemachus, Arcesilaus or Pto-
home we may mention the re-establishment of the liporthus was likewise a son of his by Penelope ;
consulate as a proof of his wisdom, as his intention and that further, by Circe he became the father of
was to reconcile the remains of the old Romans to Agrius, Latinus, Telegonus and Cassiphone, and
the new government. Odoacer reunited Dalmatia by Calypso of Nausithous and Nausinous or
with the kingdom of Italy after a sharp contest, Auson, Telegonus and Teledamus,, and lastly
in which he employed both a fleet and an army. by Euippe of Leontophron, Doryclus or Eury-
He also made a successful campaign in 487 against alus. (Hes. Theog. 1013, &c. ; Eustath. ad Hom.
the Rugians, who endeavoured to make themselves p. 1796 ; Schol. ad Lycophr. 795; Parthen.
independent in Noricum: their king Feletheus Erot. 3 ; Paus. viii. 12. § 3 ; Serv. ad Aen. iii.
(Pheba or Fava) and many of their nobles were 171. ). According to an Italian tradition Odysseus
uken prisoners, and the rest yielded to his rule. was by Circe the father of Remus, Antias and
Unfortunately for him there rose among the bar- Ardeas. (Dionys. i. 72. ) The name Odysseus
barians beyond the Alps a man still greater than is said to signify the angry (Hom. Od. xix. 406,
Odoacer, Theodoric, king of the East Goths, who, &c. ), and among the Tyrrhenians he is said to
of
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## p. 12 (#28) ##############################################

12
ODYSSEUS.
ODYSSEUS.
have been called Nanus or Nannus. (Tzetz. ad | 303, 631, &c. ). When Agamemnon was unwilling
Lycophr. 1244. )
to sacrifice Iphigeneia to Artemis, and the Greeks
When Odysseus was a young man, he went to were in great difficulty, Odysseus, feigning anger,
see his grandfather Autolycus near the foot of threatened to return home, but went to Mycenae,
Mount Parnassus. There, while engaged in the and induced Clytaemnestra by various pretences to
chase, he was wounded by a boar in his knee, by send Iphigenia to Aulis (Dict. Cret. i. 20 ; comp.
the scar of which he was subsequently recognized Eurip. Iph. Aul. 100, &c. ). On bis voyage to
by Eurycleia Laden with rich presents he re- Troy he wrestled in Lesbos with Philomeleides,
turned from the palace of his grandfather to Ithaca. the king of the island, and conquered him (Od. iv.
(Hom. Od. xix. 413, &c. ) Even at that age he is 342). According to others, Odysseus and Dio-
described as distinguished for his courage, his medes slew him by a stratagem. During the siege
knowledge of navigation, his eloquence and skill of Troy he distinguished himself as a valiant and
as a negotiator ; for, on one occasion, when the Mes- undaunted warrior (II. iv. 494, v. 677, vii. 168,
senians had carried off some sheep from Ithaca, xi. 396, 404, &c. xiv. 82), but more particularly as
Laërtes sent him to Messene to demand repa- a cunning, prudent, and eloquent spy and negotiator,
ration. He there met with Iphitus, who was and many instances are related in which he was of
seeking the horses stolen from him, and who gave the greatest service to the Greeks by these powers.
him the famous bow of Eurytus. This bow Several distinguished Trojans fell by his band.
Odysseus used only in Ithaca, regarding it as too After the death of Achilles he contended for his
great a treasure to be employed in the field, and armour with the Telamonian Ajax, and gained the
it was so strong that none of the suitors was able prize (Od. xi. 545 ; Ov. Met. xiii. init. ). He is
to handle it. (od. xxi. 14, &c. ) On one occasion said by some to have devised the stratagem of the
he went to the Thesprotian Ephyra, to fetch from wooden horse (Philostr. Her. r. 12), and he was
Ilus, the son of Mermerus, poison for his arrows ; one of the heroes that were concealed in its belly,
but as he could not get it there, he afterwards and prevented them answering Helen, that they
obtained it from Anchialus of Taphus. (Od. i. might not be discovered (Od. ir. 280, &c. viii. 491,
259, &c. ) Some accounts also state that he went xi. 525). When the horse was opened he and
to Sparta as one of the suitors of Helen, and he Menelaus were the first that jumped out and has-
is said to have advised Tyndareus to make the tened to the house of Deiphobus, where he con-
suitors swear, that they would defend the chosen quered in the fearful struggle (Od. viji. 517). He
bridegroom against any one that should insult him is also said to have taken part in carrying off the
on Helen's accouut. Tyndareus, to show him his palladium. (Virg. Aen. ii. 164. )
gratitude, persuaded his brother Icarius to give But no part of his adventures is so celebrated in
Penelope in marriage to Odysseus; or, according ancient story as his wanderings after the destruction
to others, Odysseus gained her by conquering his of Troy, and his ultimate return to Ithaca, which
competitors in the footrace. (Apollod. iii
. 10. § 9; form the subject of the Homeric poem called after
Paus. iii. 12. & 2. ) But Homer mentions nothing him the Odyssey. After the taking of Troy one
of all this, and he states that Agamemnon, who portion of the Greeks sailed away, and another
visited him in Ithaca, prevailed upon him only with Agamemnon remained behind on the Trojan
with great difficulty to join the Greeks in their coast. Odysseus at first joined the former, but
expedition against Troy. (Od. xxiv. 116, &c. ) when he had sailed as far as Tenedos, he returned
Other traditions relate that he was visited by to Agamemnon (Od. iii. 163). Afterwards, how-
Menelaus and Agamemnon, and that more espe- ever, he determined to sail home, but was thrown
cially Palamedes induced him to join the Greeks. by a storm upon the coast of Ismarus, a town of
For when Palamedes came, it is said, Odysseus the Cicones, in Thrace, north of the island of
pretended to be mad : he yoked an ass and an ox Lemnos. He there ravaged and plundered the
to a plough, and began to sow salt. Palamedes, town, and as he was not able to induce his men to
to try him, placed the infant Telemachus before depart in time, the Cicones hastened towards the
the plough, whereupon the father could not con- coast from the interior, and slew 72 of his com-
tinue to play his part. He stopped the plough, panions (Od. ix. 39, &c. ). From thence he was
and was obliged to undertake the fulfilment of the driven by a north wind towards Maleia and to the
promise he had made when he was one of the Lotophagi on the coast of Libya. Some of his
suitors of Helen. (Tzetz. ad Lyc. 818. ) This oc- companions were so much delighted with the taste
currence is said to have been the cause of his of the lotus that they wanted to remain in the
hatred of Palamedes. (Hygin. Fab. 95. ) Being country, but Odysseus compelled them to embark
now himself gained for the undertaking, he con- again, and continued his voyage (Od. ix. 67, 84,
trived to discover Achilles, who was concealed 94, &c. ). In one day he reached the goat-island,
among the daughters of king Lycomedes, and situated north of the country of the Lotopbagi
without whom, according to a prophecy of Calchas, (Od. ix. 116). He there left behind eleven ships,
the expedition against Troy could not be under- and with one he sailed to the neighbouring island
taken. (Apollod. iii. 13. & 8; comp. Achilles. ) of the Cyclopes (the western coast of Sicily), where
Before, however, the Greeks set out against Troy, with twelve companions he entered the cave of the
Odysseus, in conjunction with Menelaus (and Cyclops Polyphemus, a son of Poseidon and Thoosa.
Palamedes, Dict. Cret. i. 4. ),' went to Troy, where This giant devoured one after another six of the
he was hospitably received, for the purpose of companions of Odysseus, and kept the unfortunate
inducing the Trojans by amicable means to restore Odysseus and the six others as prisoners in his
Helen and her treasures. (II. iii. 205, &c. )
In order to save himself Odysseus contrived
When the Greeks were assembled in the port of to make the monster drunk with wine, and then
Aulis, he joined them with twelve ships and men with a burning pole deprived him of his one eye.
from Cephallene, Ithaca, Neriton, Crocyleia, Za- He now succeeded in making his escape with his
cynthus, Samon, and the coast of Epeirus (nl
. ii. friends, by concealing himself and them under the
cave.


## p. 13 (#29) ##############################################


US.
13
ODYSSEUS.
ODYSSEUS.
gamemnon was unwilling
Artemis, and the Greeks
Odysseus, feigning anger,
-, but went to Mycenae,
ra by various pretences ta
(Dict. Cret. i. 20; comp.
&c. ).
On his royage to
esbos with Philomeleides,
end conquered him (Od. ir.
thers, Odysseus and Dio-
ratagem. During the siege
ed himself as a valiant and
- iv. 494, 4. 677, vii 168
-2), but more particularly as
eloquent spy and negotiator,
e related in which he was of
the Greeks by these posters
Trojans fell by his band.
chilles he contended for his
mnonian Ajax, and gained the
Ov. Met, xiii. init. ). He is
devised the stratagem of the
str. Her. x. 12), and he was
at were concealed in its bells,
answering Helen, that they
red (Od. iv. 280, &c. viii, 494,
ne horse was opened he and
First that jumped out and has-
of Deiphobus, where he con-
struggle (Od. viii. 517). He
e taken part in carrying off the
Aen. ii. 164. )
is adventures is so celebrated in
wanderings after the destruction
ultimate return to Ithaca, which
I the Homeric poem called after
After the taking of Troy one
reeks sailed away, and another
remained behind on the Trojan
at first joined the former, but
d as far as Tenedos, he returned
Id. iii. 163). Afterwards, bow-
ed to sail home, but was thrown
the coast of Ismarus, a town of
Thrace, north of the island of
iere ravaged and plundered the
was not able to induce his men to
the Cicones hastened towards the
aterior, and slew 72 of bis com-
39, &c. ). From thence he was
h wind towards Maleia and to the
ne coast of Libya. Some of his
: so much delighted with the taste
at they wanted to remain in the
lysseus compelled them to embark
inued his voyage (Od. ix. 67, 84,
ne day he reached the goat-island,
of the country of the Lotopbagi
He there left behind eleven ships,
ne sailed to the neighbouring island
(the western coast of Sicily), where
bodies of the sheep which the Cyclops let out of pelled him to land. He made there swear not to
his cave; and Odysseus, with a part of the flock, touch any of the cattle ; but as they were detained
reached his ship. The Cyclops implored his father in the island by storms, and as they were hungry,
Poseidon to take vengeance upon Odysseus, and they killed the finest of the oxen while Odysseus
henceforth the god of the sea pursued the wan was asleep. After some days the storm abated,
dering king with implacable enmity (Od. i. 68, &c. and they sailed away, but soon another storm came
ix. 172--542). Others represent Poseidon as on, and their ship was destroyed by Zeus with a
angry with Odysseus on account of the death of flash of lightning. All were drowned with the ex-
Palamedes (Philostr. Her. ii. 20 ; comp. PALA- ception of Odysseus, who saved himself by means
MEDES). On his further voyage he arrived at the of the mast and planks, and was driven by the
island of Aeolus, probably in the south of Sicily, wind again towards Scylla and Charybdis. But
where he stayed one month, and is said to have he skilfully avoided the danger, ard after ten days
been in love with Polymela, the daughter of Aeolus he reached the woody island of Ogygia, inhabited
(Parthen. Erol. 2). On his departure Aeolus pro by the nymph Calypso (xii. 127, &c. 260, &c. ).
vided him with a bag of winds, which were to She received him with kindness, and desired him
carry him home, but his companions, without to marry her, promising immortality and eternal
Odysseus' knowing it, opened the bag, and the youth, if he would consent, and forget Ithaca. But
winds escaped, whereupon the ships were driven he could not overcome his longing after his own
back to the island of Aeolus, who was indignant home (i. 51, 58, iv. 82, &c. 555, &c. vii. 244, &c.
and refused all further assistance (Od. x. i. &c. ). ix. 28, 34). Athena, who had always been the
After a voyage of six days he arrived at Telepylos, protectress of Odysseus, induced Zeus to promise
the city of Lamus, in which Antiphates ruled over that Odysseus, notwithstanding the anger of Po-
the Laestrygones, a sort of cannibals. This place seidon, should one day return to his native island,
must probably be sought somewhere in the north of and take vengeance on the suitors of Penelope (i.
Sicily. Odysseus escaped from them with only one 48, &c. v. 23, xiii. 131, comp. xiii. 300, &c. ).
ship (x. 80, &c. ), and his fate now carried him to a Hermes carried to Calypso the command of Zeus
western island, Aeaea, inhabited by the sorceress to dismiss Odysseus. The nymph obeyed, and
Circe. A part of his people was sent to explore the taught him how to build a raft, on which, after a
island, but they were changed by Circe into swine. stay of eight years with her, he left the island (v.
Eurylochus alone escaped, and brought the sad 140, &c. 234, 263). In eighteen days he came in
news to Odysseus, who, when he was hastening to sight of Scheria, the island of the Phaeacians,
the assistance of his friends, was instructed by when Poseidon, who perceived him, sent a storm,
Hermes by wbat means he could resist the magic which cast him off the raft. On the advice of
powers of Circe. He succeeded in liberating his Leucothea, and with her and Athena's assistance,
companions, who were again changed into men, he reached Scheria by dint of swimming (v. 278,
and were most hospitably treated by the sorceress. &c. 445, vi. 170). The exhausted hero slept on
When at length Odysseus begged for leave to de- the shore, until he was awoke by the voices of
part, Circe desired him to descend into Hades and maidens. He found Nausicaa, the daughter of
to consult the seer Teiresias (x. 135, &c. ). He king Alcinous and Arete ; she gave him clothing
now sailed westward right across the river Oceanus, and allowed him to follow her to the town, where
and having landed on the other side in the country he was kindly received by her parents. He was
of the Cimmerians, where Helios does not shine, honoured with feasts and contests, and the minstrel
he entered Hades, and consulted Teiresias about Demodocus sang of the fall of Troy, which moved
the manner in which he might reach his native Odysseus to tears, and being questioned about the
island. Teiresias informed him of the danger and cause of his emotion, he related his whole history.
difficulties arising from the anger of Poseidon, but At length he was honoured with presents and sent
gave him hope that all would yet turn out well
, if home in a ship.
Odysseus and his companions would leave the herds One night as he had fallen asleep in his ship,
of Helios in Thrinacia uninjured (Od. xi. ). Odys- it reached the coast of Ithaca ; the Phaeacians who
seus now returned to Aeaea, where Circe again had accompanied him, carried him and his presents
treated the strangers kindly, told them of the on shore, and left him. He had now been away
dangers that yet awaited them, and of the means from Ithaca for twenty years, and when he awoke
of escaping (xii. 1, &c. ). The wind which she he did not recognise his native land, for Athena,
sent with them carried them to the island of the that he might not be recognised, had enveloped
Seirens, somewhere near the west coast of Italy. him in a cloud. As he was lamenting his fate the
The Seirens sat on the shore, and with their sweet goddess informed him where he was, concealed his
voices attracted all that passed by, and then de presents, and advised him how to take vengeance
stroyed them. Odysseus, in order to escape the upon the enemies of his house. During his absence
danger, filled the ears of his companions with wax, his father Laërtes, bowed down by grief and old
and fastened hiinself to the mast of his ship, until age, had withdrawn into the country, his mother
he was out of the reach of the Seirens' song (xii. Anticleia had died of sorrow, his son Telemachus
39, &c. 166, &c. ). Hereupon his ship came be had grown up to manhood, and his wife Penelope
tween Scylla and Charybdis, two rocks between had rejected all the offers that had been made to
Thrinacia and Italy. As the ship passed between her by the importunate suitors from the neigh-
them, Scylla, the monster inhabiting the rock of bouring islands (Od. xi. 180, &c. xiii. 336, &c.
the same name, carried off and devoured six of the xv. 355, &c. xvi. 108, &c. ). During the last
companions of Odysseus (xii. 73, &c. 235, &c. ). three years of Odyssens' absence more than a
From thence he came to Thrinacia, the island of hundred nobles of Ithaca, Same, Dulichium, and
Helios, who there kept his sacred herds of oxen. Zacynthus had been suing for the hand of Penelope,
Odysseus, mindful of the advice of Teiresias and and in their visits to her house had treated ali
Circe, wanted to pass by, but his companions com- that it contained as if it had been their own (i, 246,
mpanions he entered the care of the
iemus, a son of Poseidon and Thouse.
roured one after another six of the
Odysseus, and kept the unfortunate
the six others as prisoners in his
er to save himself Odysseus contrived
monster drunk with wine, and then
ng pole deprived him of his one eye.
eeded in making his escape with his
oncealing himself and them under the


## p. 14 (#30) ##############################################

14
OEAGRUS.
OEBOTAS. -
:
vants.
xiii. 377, xiv. 90, xvi. 247). That he might be OEAGRUS (Olaypos), a king of Thrace, and
able to take vengeance upon them, it was necessary father of Orpheus and Linus (A pollod. i. 3. $ 2;
that he should not be recognised, in order to avail Orph. Argon. 73 ; Ov. 16. 484). Hence the sisters
himself of any favourable moment that might pre- of Orpheus are called Oeagrides, in the sense of
bent itself. Athena accordingly metamorphosed the Muses. (Mosch. iii. 37. ) (L. S. )
Juim into an unsightly beggar, in which appearance OEAX (Oyak), a son of Nauplius and Clymene,
he was kindly treated by Eumaeus, the swineherd, and brother of Palamedes and Nausimedon ( A pollod.
a faithful servant of his house (xiii. 70, &c. xiv. ). ii. 1. in fin. iii. 2. § 2 ; Eurip. Orest. 432). (L. S. )
While he was staying with Eumaeus, his son OEBALUS (O16 anos). 1. A son of Cynortas,
Telemachus returned from Sparta and Pylos, and husband of Gorgophone, by whom he became
whither he had gone to obtain information con- the father of Tyndareos, Peirene, and Arene, was
cerning his father. Odysseus made himself known king of Sparta, where he was afterwards honoured
to him, and with him deliberated upon the plan of with an heroum (Paus. iii. 1. $ 3, 15. $ 7, ii. 2. §
revenge (xvi. 187, &c. 300). In the disguise of a 3, iv. 2. § 3). According to others he was a son
beggar he accompanied Telemachus and Eumneus of Perieres and a grandson of Cynortas, and was
to the town ; on his arrival he was abused and in married to the nymph Bateia, by whom he had
sulted by the goat-herd Melantheus and the suitors, several children (Apollod. ii. 10. § 4; Schol. ad
who even tried to kill Telemachus ; but his old Eurip. Orest. 447). The patronymic Oebalides
dog and his nurse Eurycleia recognised him, and is not only applied to his descendants, but to the
Penelope received him kindly.
Spartans generally, and hence it occurs as an
The plan of revenge was now carried into effect. epithet or surname of Hyacinthus, Castor, Pollux
Penelope, with great difficulty, was made to promise and Helena (Ov. Ib. 590, Fast. v. 705, Her. xvi.
her band to him who should conquer the others 126.