Domain: intelligence, invention, Strategy, numbers, the alphabet, the falsely accused
Epithets: Euboean prince, son of Nauplius, skillful adviser, clever, inventor of the alphabet/numbers, fair-eyed, wisest, most ingenious, brother of Oeax/Nausimedon
Devotional acts: studying, writing letters, playing Strategy games, advocating for Peace, supporting the misunderstood, collecting stones/coins, fishing, visiting a well
Epithets: Son of Odysseus/Circe, consort of Penelope, Founder of Tusculum, bitterly lamented, of the long-hilted spear, immortal, discovering, young man, pitiful, father of Italus/Mamilia
Imagery/symbolism: spear, the sea, boat, sea bird bones
I totally missed this news about the ‘School of Homer’ or ‘Homer’s Palace’ site on Ithaca last June/July: more inscriptions found that cement the idea of the site as a hero cult sanctuary, worshipping Odysseus - an Odysseion.
Archaeologists at the site of Aghios Athanasios – the “School of Homer” in northern Ithaki have unearthed new evidence of a hero cult dedica
My favourite things:
Pottery sherds/tiles with (partial) dedications to Odysseus on them: “…14 stamped tiles bear Greek and Latin inscriptions — including, crucially, pieces that mention Odysseus by name. One tile fragment carries the genitive form [ΟΔ]ΥCCEOC – meaning “of Odysseus,” perhaps to denote ownership or dedication. Another bears the partial inscription ΟΔΥC[CEI, likely a votive phrase meaning “to Odysseus.” “
This teensy head of a bronze statuette or bust identified as Odysseus that I hadn’t said before (unclear when this was found) - it has similar features to images on Ithacan bronze coins from the 3rd and 4th centuries BCE. (See the article)
Reminder of hero and other cults in Ancient Greek worship: https://greekmythcomix.com/comic/classicstober-day-21-cult/
Domain: prophecy, seers, survivorship, counsel, outcome, the coerced
Epithets: Son of Priam, Trojan prince, prophet, gentle, the greatest of augurs, twin of Cassandra, warrior, valiant, excellent, husband of Andromache, king of Epirus, priest of Apollo
Imagery/symbolism: laurel wreaths, spear, the sun, tomb
Epithets: Princess of Phaeacia, white-armed, fair-ankled, daughter of Alcinous, Maiden, granddaughter of Poseidon, graceful, beautiful, fair-roped, lady, wife of Telemachus.
Imagery/symbolism: Ships, the shoreline, ball, the sea, palm tree, hair wrap, clothes.
Devotional acts: Collecting shells, sea gazing, assisting people in need, helping children, doing laundry, veiling, reading the Odyssey, being kind, attending ball games.
Epithets: King of Phrygia, Son of Cybele, follower of Pan, of the golden touch, wealthy, delighting, donkey-eared, Fond of gold, famous, husband of Hermodice, of the Rose-Garden, Phrygian
Imagery/symbolism: Gold, Crown, roses, ox-cart, the river Pactolus
“there is a temple of Cassandra in Italy which was established by the leading men of the Daunians in her honor. It is near the lake of Salpe. Salpe is a lake in Italy, Dardanos is a city of Italy.”
Epithets: Founder/king of Thebes, husband of Harmonia, dragon-slayer, Phoenician Prince, Sower of the Teeth, high-spirited, son of Agenor, hero, immortal, brother of Europa, noble
Imagery/symbolism: the Phoenician alphabet, dragon scales, spear, the moon, dragon tooth
Devotional acts: creating jewelry out of sharp teeth (real or fake), honoring Harmonia along with her parents, studying herpetology and the Phoenician alphabet, traveling, caring for cows, moon gazing, protecting others.