When
Agamemnon
was unwilling
Lycophr.
Lycophr.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - c
§ 5; Hes.
Theog.
Arab, except the naked facts detailed above, and
267. )
(L. S. ) that from his earliest years he took great delight
OĆY'RHOE. ('n kúpon. ) 1. One of the in the chase, and willingly endured the severest
daughters of Oceanus and Tethys. (Hes. Theog. 360; hardships. (MAEONIUS. )
(W. R. )
Hom. Hymn. in Cer. 420 ; Paus. iv. 30. $ 3. ) ODI'TES, the name of two mythical beings,
2. A daughter of the centaur Cheiron. (Ov. one a centaur, and the other an Ethiopian, who
Met. ii. 638; Hygin. Poet. Astr. ï. 18; Eratosth. was slain by Clymenus at the wedding of Perseus.
Catast. 18. )
[L. S. ) (0v. Met. xii. 457, v. 97. )
(LS. )
ODATIS ('Odátis), daughter of Omartes, a O'DIUS. (Odlos). 1. The chief of the Hali
Scythian king. According to a story recorded by zones, assisted the Trojans against the Greeks, but
Chares of Mytilene (ap. Ath. xiii. p. 575), Odatis was slain by Agamemnon. (Hom. I. ü. 856, v. 38;
and Zariadres (king of the country between the Strab. xvi. p. 551. )
Caspian gates and the Tanäis) fell inutually in love 2. A herald in the camp of the Greeks at Troy.
from the sight of one another's image in a dream. (Hom. I. ix. 170. )
(L. S. )
But Omartes, having no son, wished his daughter ODOA'CER (Odbakpos), King of Italy, from
to marry one of his own relatives or near friends. A. D. 476—493. He was the son of one Edeco,
He therefore summoned them all to a banquet, who was undoubtedly the same Edecon who was
whereat he desired Odatis to fill a cup with wine, minister of Attila and his ambassador at Constan-
and present it to whomsoever she chose for her hus- tinople. Odoacer had a brother, Onulf, who like
band. Meanwhile, however, Zariadres had received wise became conspicuous. It appears that Odoacer
notice from her of her father's intentions, and, being was by origin a Scyrrus, and that after the dis-
engaged in a military expedition near the banks of persion of the Scyrri by the East Goths, he was
the Tanäis, he set out with only one attendant, chosen the chief of the remnants of that broken
and, having travelled a distance of 800 stadia, ar- tribe, but he is also called a Rugian, an Herwiana
## p. 11 (#27) ##############################################
ODOACER.
11
ODYSSEUS
sed in a
and in
lere the
ide, he
sire, I,
ith joy
ed the
id bore
scaped
of the
pursue
ſ they
1
a
most
paint-
me in
E. ]
aeroic
was
'roco-
tribe
cord-
le is
le of
nbike
s to
the
pent
2000
a of
pos,
ibis,
rem
the
vith
tus,
in
the
and a king of the Turcilingi, perhaps because he secretly, and perhaps openly, supported by the
was in after years at the head of an army composed emperor Zeno, resolved to wrest Italy from bim,
of those nations. His father Edecon having been and establish the Gothic power at Rome. Theo-
slain in the battle with the East Goths, where the doric opened his first campaign in 489, and in a
power of the Scyrri was broken (about 463), Odoa- bloody battle foiled his rival on the banks of the
cer, now at the head of the reduced tribe, led the Isontius (Isonzo) not far from Aquileia (28th of
life of a robber in Pannonia and Noricum, but August, 489). Odoacer, retreating, offered a
finally entered the imperial guard at Rome and rose second battle at Verona, and again lost the day,
to entinence. In 475 Orestes had his son Romulus whereupon he hastened to Rome in order to per-
Augustulus chosen emperor of Rome. The count- suade its inhabitants to rise for his defence. But
less bands
of barbarians of all nations, with the aid the Romans, preferring to stand their own chanco
of which Orestes bad accomplished his object, de- in the conflict, shut the gates of the city at his ap-
manded in reward one third of the soil of Italy to proach, and Odoacer consequently retraced his
be divided among them. When Orestes declined steps into Northern Italy, and threw himself into
to comply with their wishes, Odoacer turned the Ravenna. Thence he sallied out, defeated the
discontent of the mercenaries to his own profit, van of the Gothic army, and compelled Theodoric
and promised to allot them the desired portion of to seek refuge within the walls of Pavia, but the
Italy, if they would assist him to wrest the whole Gothic king soon succeeded in rallying his forces,
from the nominal emperor Romulus Augustulus and vanquished Odoacer a third time in a decisive
and his father Orestes, a condition which the ma- battle on the river Adda (490). Odoacer again
jority of those reckless warriors readily accepted. took refuge in Ravenna, and Theodoric laid siege
Thus arose a war between Odoacer and Orestes. to that city, while his lieutenants gradually re-
The latter, after suffering some defeats, retired duced the whole kingdom of Italy. After an ob
within the walls of Pavia ; but Odoacer took the stinate defence of nearly three years Odoacer at
town by assault, made Orestes prisoner, and put last capitulated on condition that in future he and
him to death. St. Epiphanius, bishop of Pavia, Theodoric should be joint kings of Italy: the treaty
was present at the siege, whence his life by Enno- was confirmed by oaths taken by both parties (27th
dius becomes an important source for the history of February, 493). Theodoric, however, soon broke
of these times. Paul, the brother of Orestes, was his oath ; and on the 5th of March following,
slain at Ravenna Romulus Augustulus was now Odoacer was murdered by the hand, or command,
deposed and banished by the victor, who henceforth of his more fortunate rival. Theodoric succeeded
reigned over Italy with the title of king, for he him as sole king of Italy. (Jornandes, De
never assumed that of emperor (476). With the Regnor. Success. p. 59, 60, De Reb. Goth. p. 128,
deposition of Romulus Augustulus, the Roman em- 129, 140, 141 ; Paul Diacon. De Gest. Longob.
pire in the West came to an end. (AUGUSTULUB. ] i. 19; Greg. Turon. Hist. Franc. i. 18, &c. ;
In order to establish himself the better on Procop. Bell. Goth. i. 1, ii. 6; Ennodius, Vita
throne, Odoacer sent ambassadors to the emperor Epiphan, especially pp. 386–389 ;_Cassiodor.
Zeno, requesting the latter to grant him the title of Chron. ad an. 376, &c. , Epist. i. 18; Evagrius, ii.
patrician, and acknowledge him as regent of the 16. )
(W. P. )
diocese of Italy. Pleased with the seeming sub- ODYSSEUS ('Odvroebs), or, as the Latin
missiveness of the conqueror of that country, Zeno writers call him, Ulysses, Ulyxes or Ulixes, one of
granted the request, though after some hesitation. the principal Greek heroes in the Trojan war.
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
- in
his
che
of
is
ke
od
Int
no
-
3;
## 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).
267. )
(L. S. ) that from his earliest years he took great delight
OĆY'RHOE. ('n kúpon. ) 1. One of the in the chase, and willingly endured the severest
daughters of Oceanus and Tethys. (Hes. Theog. 360; hardships. (MAEONIUS. )
(W. R. )
Hom. Hymn. in Cer. 420 ; Paus. iv. 30. $ 3. ) ODI'TES, the name of two mythical beings,
2. A daughter of the centaur Cheiron. (Ov. one a centaur, and the other an Ethiopian, who
Met. ii. 638; Hygin. Poet. Astr. ï. 18; Eratosth. was slain by Clymenus at the wedding of Perseus.
Catast. 18. )
[L. S. ) (0v. Met. xii. 457, v. 97. )
(LS. )
ODATIS ('Odátis), daughter of Omartes, a O'DIUS. (Odlos). 1. The chief of the Hali
Scythian king. According to a story recorded by zones, assisted the Trojans against the Greeks, but
Chares of Mytilene (ap. Ath. xiii. p. 575), Odatis was slain by Agamemnon. (Hom. I. ü. 856, v. 38;
and Zariadres (king of the country between the Strab. xvi. p. 551. )
Caspian gates and the Tanäis) fell inutually in love 2. A herald in the camp of the Greeks at Troy.
from the sight of one another's image in a dream. (Hom. I. ix. 170. )
(L. S. )
But Omartes, having no son, wished his daughter ODOA'CER (Odbakpos), King of Italy, from
to marry one of his own relatives or near friends. A. D. 476—493. He was the son of one Edeco,
He therefore summoned them all to a banquet, who was undoubtedly the same Edecon who was
whereat he desired Odatis to fill a cup with wine, minister of Attila and his ambassador at Constan-
and present it to whomsoever she chose for her hus- tinople. Odoacer had a brother, Onulf, who like
band. Meanwhile, however, Zariadres had received wise became conspicuous. It appears that Odoacer
notice from her of her father's intentions, and, being was by origin a Scyrrus, and that after the dis-
engaged in a military expedition near the banks of persion of the Scyrri by the East Goths, he was
the Tanäis, he set out with only one attendant, chosen the chief of the remnants of that broken
and, having travelled a distance of 800 stadia, ar- tribe, but he is also called a Rugian, an Herwiana
## p. 11 (#27) ##############################################
ODOACER.
11
ODYSSEUS
sed in a
and in
lere the
ide, he
sire, I,
ith joy
ed the
id bore
scaped
of the
pursue
ſ they
1
a
most
paint-
me in
E. ]
aeroic
was
'roco-
tribe
cord-
le is
le of
nbike
s to
the
pent
2000
a of
pos,
ibis,
rem
the
vith
tus,
in
the
and a king of the Turcilingi, perhaps because he secretly, and perhaps openly, supported by the
was in after years at the head of an army composed emperor Zeno, resolved to wrest Italy from bim,
of those nations. His father Edecon having been and establish the Gothic power at Rome. Theo-
slain in the battle with the East Goths, where the doric opened his first campaign in 489, and in a
power of the Scyrri was broken (about 463), Odoa- bloody battle foiled his rival on the banks of the
cer, now at the head of the reduced tribe, led the Isontius (Isonzo) not far from Aquileia (28th of
life of a robber in Pannonia and Noricum, but August, 489). Odoacer, retreating, offered a
finally entered the imperial guard at Rome and rose second battle at Verona, and again lost the day,
to entinence. In 475 Orestes had his son Romulus whereupon he hastened to Rome in order to per-
Augustulus chosen emperor of Rome. The count- suade its inhabitants to rise for his defence. But
less bands
of barbarians of all nations, with the aid the Romans, preferring to stand their own chanco
of which Orestes bad accomplished his object, de- in the conflict, shut the gates of the city at his ap-
manded in reward one third of the soil of Italy to proach, and Odoacer consequently retraced his
be divided among them. When Orestes declined steps into Northern Italy, and threw himself into
to comply with their wishes, Odoacer turned the Ravenna. Thence he sallied out, defeated the
discontent of the mercenaries to his own profit, van of the Gothic army, and compelled Theodoric
and promised to allot them the desired portion of to seek refuge within the walls of Pavia, but the
Italy, if they would assist him to wrest the whole Gothic king soon succeeded in rallying his forces,
from the nominal emperor Romulus Augustulus and vanquished Odoacer a third time in a decisive
and his father Orestes, a condition which the ma- battle on the river Adda (490). Odoacer again
jority of those reckless warriors readily accepted. took refuge in Ravenna, and Theodoric laid siege
Thus arose a war between Odoacer and Orestes. to that city, while his lieutenants gradually re-
The latter, after suffering some defeats, retired duced the whole kingdom of Italy. After an ob
within the walls of Pavia ; but Odoacer took the stinate defence of nearly three years Odoacer at
town by assault, made Orestes prisoner, and put last capitulated on condition that in future he and
him to death. St. Epiphanius, bishop of Pavia, Theodoric should be joint kings of Italy: the treaty
was present at the siege, whence his life by Enno- was confirmed by oaths taken by both parties (27th
dius becomes an important source for the history of February, 493). Theodoric, however, soon broke
of these times. Paul, the brother of Orestes, was his oath ; and on the 5th of March following,
slain at Ravenna Romulus Augustulus was now Odoacer was murdered by the hand, or command,
deposed and banished by the victor, who henceforth of his more fortunate rival. Theodoric succeeded
reigned over Italy with the title of king, for he him as sole king of Italy. (Jornandes, De
never assumed that of emperor (476). With the Regnor. Success. p. 59, 60, De Reb. Goth. p. 128,
deposition of Romulus Augustulus, the Roman em- 129, 140, 141 ; Paul Diacon. De Gest. Longob.
pire in the West came to an end. (AUGUSTULUB. ] i. 19; Greg. Turon. Hist. Franc. i. 18, &c. ;
In order to establish himself the better on Procop. Bell. Goth. i. 1, ii. 6; Ennodius, Vita
throne, Odoacer sent ambassadors to the emperor Epiphan, especially pp. 386–389 ;_Cassiodor.
Zeno, requesting the latter to grant him the title of Chron. ad an. 376, &c. , Epist. i. 18; Evagrius, ii.
patrician, and acknowledge him as regent of the 16. )
(W. P. )
diocese of Italy. Pleased with the seeming sub- ODYSSEUS ('Odvroebs), or, as the Latin
missiveness of the conqueror of that country, Zeno writers call him, Ulysses, Ulyxes or Ulixes, one of
granted the request, though after some hesitation. the principal Greek heroes in the Trojan war.
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
- in
his
che
of
is
ke
od
Int
no
-
3;
## 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).
