The Fate of Odysseus After Returning to Ithaca: A Forgotten Chapter of Greek Mythology
Odysseus, the legendary hero of the Odyssey, is best known for his cunning intelligence and the ten-year journey that brought him back to Ithaca after the Trojan War. However, his story did not end with the defeat of Penelope’s suitors. Ancient Greek mythology offers multiple accounts of his fate—some peaceful, others tragic.
The Final Trial: Odysseus’ Last Journey
According to the Odyssey, the prophet Tiresias warned Odysseus that his struggles were not over. To appease Poseidon, who remained wrathful after the blinding of Polyphemus, Odysseus was instructed to travel inland, carrying an oar, until he reached a place where no one recognized the sea. There, he was to offer a sacrifice to the god before returning home to live out his days peacefully in Ithaca.
A Tragic End: The Tale of Telegonus
In an alternate version from a lost epic called the Telegony, Odysseus met a tragic end. He and Penelope resumed their life in Ithaca, ruling alongside their son, Telemachus. However, Odysseus unknowingly fathered another son, Telegonus, with the sorceress Circe during his wanderings.
Telegonus, seeking his father, mistakenly attacked Ithaca. In the ensuing battle, he mortally wounded Odysseus with a poisoned spear. Realizing the tragic mistake, Telegonus brought Penelope and Telemachus to Circe’s island, where, according to some myths, Telemachus married Circe, and Telegonus wed Penelope—an ending as strange as it is intriguing.
Alternate Versions: A Peaceful Rule or Endless Wandering?
Other versions of Greek mythology suggest that Odysseus ruled Ithaca peacefully until his death from old age. Some traditions claim he was forced to leave due to political unrest, embarking on another journey and never returning.
The Enduring Legacy of Odysseus
Odysseus’ fate, whether tragic or triumphant, remains one of the most debated topics in Greek mythology. His story exemplifies the themes of fate, perseverance, and the inescapability of destiny—even for a hero as cunning as he was.
What do you think? Should Odysseus have been granted a peaceful reign in Ithaca, or was his tragic fate inevitable?
Related links
Odysseus: Origin, Adventures, Odyssey And Iliad, Ithaca
Penelope And The Return Of Odysseus
Sorceress Circe ( Kirke ): Origins, Magic Powers, Odyssey And Facts From Greek Mythology