Odysseus (Latin name Ulixes or Ulysses),
King of Ithaca, was the most famous hero of antiquity. His legend is the
subject of Odyssey by Homer. The legend is very rich and full of
various adventures. We'll introduce the episodes of his legend as we meet
them in painting.
See: Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres.
Odysseus.
Phaeacians, a nation of sailors, who
inhabited some islands in Mediterranian. Under King Alcinous they devoted
themselves to navigation and trading. They welcomed Odysseus when he was
cast up on their shores and provided him with a ship to take him to his
native Ithaca. But Poseidon, who was
against Odysseus, on finding out that they had carried his enemy home,
punished Phaeacians: he turned the ship into rock.
See: Peter Paul Rubens Ulysses
on the Island of the Phaeacians.
Nausicaa, daughter of the King Alcinous,
of Phaeacians. She found Odysseus when he was cast up on the shore of their
island, and, though she was deeply in love with Odysseus, persuaded her
father to provide him with a ship to return to Ithaca.
See: Frederick Leighton. Nausicaa.
Peter Paul Rubens Odysseus
and Nausicaa.
Valentin Serov Odysseus
and Nausicaa.
Polyphemus, a Cyclops, son of Poseidon
and the Nymph Thoosa, was a big and ugly one-eyed giant. He dwelt in a
cave with his sheep and devoured raw flesh. He caught Odysseus with twelve
of his friends and kept them in his cave, devouring one by one. Odysseus
and his companions still alive made wine and presented Cyclops with the
delitious drink. When the drunk Cyclops fell asleep, they blinded him and
later managed to escape.
Jacob Jordaens. Ulysses
in the Cave of Polyphemus.