With the city of Troy lying in ruins, the Greeks embarked on their homeward journey. Among them was Odysseus, the cunning Greek hero favored by Athena and mastermind behind the Trojan Horse. His destination: the island of Ithaca. Little did he know that his journey would be fraught with hardships and trials. Homer’s second epic, The Odyssey, chronicles Odysseus’ ten-year struggle to return home. Let’s delve into this captivating story through 16 remarkable artworks.
1. Odysseus and His Companions Fighting the Cicones Before the City of Ismaros
Artwork: Odysseus and His Companions Fighting the Cicones Before the City of Ismaros, by Francesco Primaticcio, 1555-60, via Metropolitan Museum of Art
Odysseus and his men, sailing in six ships, first landed near Ismaros, the land of the Cicones. They seized the city and plundered it. While Odysseus urged a swift departure, his reckless men indulged in revelry. The consequences were dire: more powerful Cicones retaliated, forcing the Greeks to engage in a fierce battle. After suffering heavy losses, they fled to their ships, leaving behind fallen comrades.
2. Into The Land Of The Lotus-Eaters
Artwork: Land of the Lotus Eaters, by Robert S. Duncanson, 1861, in the Swedish Royal Collection, via Canvas Magazine
Overcoming a treacherous storm, the Greeks finally reached the land of the Lotus-eaters. Here, the inhabitants consumed a mesmerizing Lotus flower. Curious, Odysseus sent a few men to investigate. The Lotus-eaters welcomed them kindly and offered them the bewitching flowers. Instantly ensnared, the men forgot their homes and sought to stay. Odysseus intervened, forcibly bringing them back to the ships, bound to the benches below. Reluctantly, they set sail once more.
3. Polyphemus and the Island of the Cyclopes
Artwork: The Blinding of Polyphemus, in the Museum of Archaeology in Sperlonga, via the Ministry of Heritage, Culture and Tourism Lazio
Polyphemus, the one-eyed Cyclops, posed a great threat to Odysseus and his crew. While the giant slumbered, fear gripped the Greeks. Trapped by a massive stone, they couldn’t strike him. Polyphemus devoured two men for breakfast and another two for dinner. But crafty Odysseus devised a plan: he got the Cyclops drunk, then blinded him with a hot wooden spike. In agony, Polyphemus let the Greeks escape, but not before hurling rocks in their direction.
Artwork: Odysseus and Polyphemus, by Arnold Böcklin, 1896, via the Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Polyphemus, enraged by his blinding, attempted to catch Odysseus and his men as they fled. But Odysseus devised a clever plan. He tied his men under the bellies of thick-fleeced rams and escaped undetected. Polyphemus, unaware of their escape, hurled rocks at the ships in a fit of rage. Despite the danger, Odysseus and his men made it out alive, unaware of the consequences their actions would soon provoke.
5. The Bag of Aeolus
Artwork: Aeolus Giving the Winds to Odysseus, by Isaac Moillon, 1650s, Private Collection, via Wikimedia Commons
Poseidon, in vengeance for his blinded son Polyphemus, vowed to hinder Odysseus’ safe return. However, the Greeks found brief respite on the island of Aeolus. Aeolus, the custodian of winds, bestowed Odysseus with a bag containing all winds except the favorable west wind. Unfortunately, curiosity got the better of the crew. Believing the bag held treasure, they opened it, releasing a tempest that wrecked their progress.
6. Circe’s Island
Artwork: Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses, by John William Waterhouse, 1891, Oldham Gallery, via Art UK
After surviving the storm, Odysseus and his crew arrived at the island of Circe. A skilled enchantress and minor goddess, Circe’s house was guarded by enchanted wolves and lions. To the men’s surprise, the animals welcomed them, showing no hostility. Circe offered them food and drink, but her true intention was to turn them into pigs. However, Odysseus, warned by Hermes, resisted her enchantments with a protective herb. Charmed by his wit, Circe restored his crew and hosted them for a year of feasting and revelry.
Artwork: Teiresias Foretells the Future to Odysseus, by Henry Fuseli, ca. 1800, via National Museum of Wales, Cardiff
Before departing, Circe sent Odysseus on a crucial mission. He had to consult the blind prophet Tiresias in the realm of Hades. Following Circe’s guidance, they reached the entrance to the underworld and performed the necessary rituals. Tiresias warned Odysseus of Poseidon’s wrath and advised him against harming the sacred cattle of the sun god on the island of Thrinacia. In Hades, Odysseus conversed with his deceased mother and encountered legendary heroes. Reluctantly, he tore himself away, setting sail for Ithaca.
8. The Sirens
Artwork: The Siren Vase attributed to the Siren Painter, 480-70 BC, via the British Museum, London
Their next peril awaited at the island of the Sirens. These winged femmes fatales, surrounded by the remains of their victims, enticed sailors with their enchanting voices. To resist their deadly allure, Odysseus ordered his men to plug their ears with wax. Curiosity got the better of Odysseus, who wanted to hear the Sirens’ song. He had his crew bind him to the mast, ensuring he could listen without succumbing to their temptations.
Artwork: Between Scylla and Charybdis, by Adolf Hiremy-Hirschl, 1910, via Art History Project
Past the Sirens, another treacherous obstacle awaited: Scylla and Charybdis. These immortal monsters posed grave dangers. Charybdis swallowed ships, creating a deadly whirlpool, while Scylla lurked amidst treacherous rocks. Navigating skillfully, the Greeks narrowly avoided Charybdis but lost six men to Scylla’s grasp. Their anguished cries echoed as their lives were devoured by the monster: “This was the most sickening sight that I saw throughout all my voyages.”
10. Hyperion’s Cattle
Artwork: Theft of the Cattle of Helios, by Pellegrino Tibaldi, 1550-51, in the Museum of Palazzo Poggi, Bologna, via the Web Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
Escaping the straits, the Greeks reached the island of Hyperion, the sun god. Tiresias had warned Odysseus against this fateful stop. Reluctantly, Odysseus planned to sail past without delay. However, his exhausted and famished men persuaded him to stay. Breaking their oath not to harm any cattle, they slaughtered the sacred herd while Odysseus was absent. As punishment, the gods set sail against them, summoning a tempest that shattered their ships. Only Odysseus survived, washed ashore on the island of Calypso.
Artwork: Calypso’s Island, Departure of Ulysses, or Farewell to Calypso, by Samuel Palmer, 1848-49, via The Whitworth, University of Manchester
Calypso, a nymph and daughter of the Titans, found Odysseus stranded on her island. She fell in love with him and held him captive for seven years, offering immortality in exchange for marriage. Yet Odysseus yearned for home and his wife, Penelope. Eventually, the gods intervened. Zeus sent Hermes to command Calypso to release Odysseus. She reluctantly complied, helping him build a raft. However, she warned him that his journey was far from over.
12. Nausicaa and the Phaeacians
Artwork: Ulysses and Nausicaa, by Jean Veber, 1888, in the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts of Paris
Surviving a shipwreck caused by Poseidon’s wrath, Odysseus clung to a piece of wreckage until he reached the land of the Phaeacians. Found by Nausicaa, the princess of Phaeacia, Odysseus was taken to the palace. King Alcinous welcomed him and listened to his tales of hardship. After recovering, Odysseus was assisted by the Phaeacians, who provided him with a ship to return to Ithaca.
13. Back To Ithaca
Artwork: Reunion of Odysseus and Telemarchus, by Henri-Lucien Doucet, 1856-95, via the Art Renewal Center, Port Reading
Finally back in Ithaca, Odysseus, disguised as an old beggar, sought refuge with his loyal swineherd, Eumaeus. Meanwhile, Athena guided Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, to reunite with his father. Telemachus arrived at Eumaeus’ abode, unknowingly encountering Odysseus in disguise. Athena revealed Odysseus’ true identity, and father and son embraced, overcome with tears.
Artwork: Ulysses Recognized by his Dog Argos, attributed to Jean-Joseph Espercieux, ca. 1812, via Sotheby’s
During Odysseus’ stay, his faithful dog Argos recognized him despite his disguise. Weak and aged, Argos wagged his tail and dropped his ears, acknowledging his master’s presence. Overwhelmed by the reunion, Odysseus shed a tear. Little did he know that more challenges lay ahead, as his true identity remained concealed from the others in his household.
15. Odysseus Faces the Suitors
Artwork: The Trial of the Bow, by N.C. Wyeth, 1929, via the Philadelphia Museum of Art
At Athena’s urging, Penelope devised a test to determine her suitor. Whichever man could string Odysseus’ bow and shoot an arrow through twelve axe-heads would win her hand. One by one, the suitors tried and failed. Finally, disguised as the beggar, Odysseus stepped forward. He effortlessly strung the bow and shot the arrow, hitting the target with deadly accuracy. Revealing his true identity, Odysseus, aided by Telemachus, avenged his honor by slaying the suitors.
16. Homer’s Odyssey Ends: Odysseus and Penelope Reunited
Artwork: Odysseus and Penelope Reunited, by Newell Convers Wyeth, 1929, via the Brandywine River Museum of Art, Pennsylvania
Finally, after enduring countless trials, Odysseus achieved his ultimate goal. Standing before his loyal wife, Penelope, who had remained faithful throughout his absence, he revealed his true self. Overwhelmed with joy, Penelope rushed into Odysseus’ arms, weeping tears of happiness. The epic tale of Odysseus and his arduous journey had reached its long-awaited conclusion.
These 16 artworks brilliantly capture the mesmerizing adventures of Odysseus in Homer’s masterpiece, The Odyssey. From battles with fantastical creatures to encounters with gods and goddesses, this epic voyage continues to captivate readers and inspire awe through the centuries.