The Adventures of Odysseus – “The destruction of suitors”
The next morning, the Penelope’s suitors returned to the palace, eager to continue their feasting and revelry. The slaves set the table, and the suitors began to eat, drink, and make merry. Suddenly, Athena intervened, planting a clever idea in Penelope’s mind. She instructed Penelope to bring out the arrow of Odysseus and twelve axes with a hole. Penelope declared that whoever could shoot an arrow through all twelve holes in the axes would become the king and marry her.
One by one, the suitors tried and failed to accomplish the task. Then, Odysseus stepped forward and asked to try. Penelope left the room, and as he prepared to shoot the arrow, Athena restored him to his original form. With ease, Odysseus shot the arrow through all twelve holes, revealing his true identity to the suitors. Suitors panicked and tried to escape, but Eurycleia and Eumeaus quickly closed the doors of the palace. Odysseus and his son, Tilemachus, killed all the suitors with their arrows.
Eurycleia informed Penelope that Odysseus had returned, but she was skeptical. When she finally realized that the stranger was indeed her long-lost husband, she embraced him and they both wept tears of joy.
The following day, Odysseus visited his father, Laertes, who had been waiting for his son’s return. Laertes was overjoyed to see his son and cried of relief and happiness.
However, the relatives of the slain suitors were hungry for revenge. They armed themselves and marched towards Odysseus’ palace, but Athena appeared in front of them and stopped the violence. They put down their weapons, and the relatives swore never to betray Odysseus again.
Finally, Odysseus was able to live in peace in his beloved homeland for many years.