Odysseus is one of the most multifaceted figures in ancient Greek mythology. Unlike Achilles, who became the symbol of martial valor, the king of Ithaca was renowned for his mētis—intelligence, strategic thinking, and the ability to devise solutions even in the most difficult circumstances. To the ancient Greeks, the power of the mind could be just as important as physical strength, and Odysseus came to embody this ideal.
In the Iliad and even more so in the Odyssey, Odysseus is portrayed as the most resourceful of all the Achaeans. The conception of the Trojan Horse, the trick of calling himself “Outis” (“Nobody”) before the Cyclops Polyphemus, his disguises, and the composure with which he confronted every challenge established him as the hero of intelligence and strategy. He triumphs not through physical strength, but because he outthinks his opponents. It is for this reason that Athena, goddess of wisdom, constantly stands by his side.
After the fall of Troy, Odysseus spent ten years trying to return to his homeland. His voyages became a symbol of adventure and exploration, and already in antiquity people sought to associate them with real places around the Mediterranean.
Although the exact route remains a matter of debate, many of the places he visited have traditionally been identified with locations in the modern Mediterranean. The land of the Lotus-Eaters is often placed on the coasts of Tunisia or Libya, the land of the Cyclopes is associated with Sicily—particularly the slopes of Mount Etna, where Polyphemus was believed to live—while the Sirens are commonly located on small islands off the coast of southern Italy near Campania. Scylla and Charybdis are identified with the Strait of Messina between Sicily and Calabria, and Circe’s island is linked to Mount Circeo, south of Rome. Other destinations, such as Ogygia, the island of Calypso, and Scheria, the land of the Phaeacians, have variously been identified with Malta, Corfu, or other Mediterranean islands, although none of these identifications is certain.
Whether these places reflect real landscapes or imaginary settings inspired by Mediterranean geography, Odysseus' journey portrays the world as the ancient Greeks imagined it: a sea filled with dangers, marvels, and unknown peoples.
The Odyssey is, above all, the epic of nostos—the return home. For the ancient Greeks, nostos meant far more than the completion of a journey; it represented the restoration of the natural order of things: the return to one's household, family, identity, and rightful place in society. Odysseus seeks neither new kingdoms nor immortality. He even rejects Calypso's offer of eternal youth, for his only desire is to return to Ithaca.
This longing gives meaning to every trial he endures. His reunion with his son Telemachus, the moving recognition by his faithful dog Argos, his meeting with his aged father Laertes, and his recognition by Penelope all mark the completion of his nostos. Through these scenes, Odysseus emerges not only as a hero of intelligence and adventure, but also as a symbol of the deeply human desire to return home and reunite with one's loved ones.
The island of Ithaca preserved the memory of its legendary king for centuries after the composition of the Homeric epics. Odysseus became a defining symbol of the island's identity, as demonstrated by archaeological evidence associated with his enduring remembrance and possible hero cult.
A notable example is the Cave of Odysseus in the Bay of Polis, in northern Ithaca. Many scholars identify it with the Cave of the Nymphs described in the Odyssey, where the Phaeacians left the sleeping Odysseus upon his return home. Archaeological excavations uncovered votive offerings and inscriptions dating from the Geometric through the Roman periods, indicating that the cave functioned for centuries as a sanctuary dedicated to the Nymphs and was most likely also associated with the hero cult of Odysseus himself.
Odysseus' close association with Ithaca is also reflected in the island's silver and bronze coinage, which depicts the legendary king wearing a beard and his distinctive pilos or kausia cap. Choosing his image as the emblem of the city expressed the island's historical and mythical identity. Together, the finds from the cave and the coinage demonstrate that, many centuries after Homer, Odysseus was not merely the protagonist of an epic poem but a figure who remained inseparably linked to the history, memory, and cultural heritage of Ithaca.
The exhibition contains items from the following institutions:
