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Odysseus

Odysseus is a legendary hero in Greek mythology and the king of Ithaca.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Odysseus is a legendary hero in Greek mythology and the king of Ithaca, best known as the central figure of Homer’s *Odyssey*. He is also a significant character in the *Iliad* and is famed for his intelligence, resourcefulness, and endurance. Odysseus is widely studied in Canadian literature and classics courses, and the word ‘odyssey’ has entered everyday English.

Origins and family

Odysseus is presented in Greek tradition as the son of Laertes and Anticleia, the husband of Penelope, and the father of Telemachus. He is the king of Ithaca and is known in Roman tradition as Ulysses.

Role in the Trojan War

In accounts of the Trojan War, Odysseus is remembered for his cunning and for proposing the Trojan Horse, a stratagem that helped bring about Troy’s fall. He appears as an important character in Homer’s *Iliad* as well as later retellings.

The *Odyssey*

Homer’s *Odyssey* follows Odysseus’s prolonged journey home after the war. The poem emphasizes his attempts to survive hardship, his encounters with supernatural figures, and his eventual return to Ithaca.

Later literary influence

Odysseus became a major model for the literary hero defined by intelligence, adaptability, and perseverance. The English word *odyssey* comes from the title of Homer’s epic and now means a long and eventful journey.

Key facts

  • Odysseus is the king of Ithaca and the central hero of Homer’s *Odyssey*.
  • He is famed for his cunning and the Trojan Horse strategy.
  • His journey home includes encounters with monsters and divine interventions.
  • He appears as an important character in both the *Iliad* and *Odyssey*.
  • The word ‘odyssey’ derives from his epic and means a long journey.
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Canadian context

Odysseus is widely studied in Canadian literature, classics, and world-history courses as a foundational figure of Greek epic tradition, and the word 'odyssey' is part of everyday English in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Odysseus?
Odysseus is a legendary Greek hero and the king of Ithaca, best known from Homer’s *Odyssey*.
What is Odysseus famous for?
He is famous for his cleverness, especially the Trojan Horse, and for his difficult return home after the Trojan War.
Is Odysseus in the *Iliad*?
Yes. He is an important character in the *Iliad* and a central figure in the *Odyssey*.
Who were Odysseus’s family members?
He was the husband of Penelope and the father of Telemachus; Greek sources identify Laertes and Anticleia as his parents.
What is the Roman name for Odysseus?
The Roman name for Odysseus is Ulysses.
What does the word 'odyssey' mean?
It commonly means a long and eventful journey and comes from the title of Homer’s epic about Odysseus.

References

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/Odysseus
    Supports: Odysseus as king of Ithaca, hero of the Odyssey, Roman name Ulysses, and major traits and family references.
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Odysseus
    Supports: Odysseus’s death tradition and broader encyclopedic treatment of the figure.
  3. Ashmolean Museum — https://www.ashmolean.org/article/the-odyssey-the-story-of-odysseus-in-the-ancient-world
    Supports: The Odyssey as an epic poem attributed to Homer and Odysseus’s return to Ithaca.
  4. HISTORY — https://www.history.com/articles/odysseus-homer-facts
    Supports: The Odyssey’s plot, Odysseus as king of Ithaca, and the origin of the word 'odyssey'.
  5. Hellenic Museum — https://www.hellenic.org.au/post/odysseus-a-man-of-many-faces
    Supports: Odysseus’s prominence in both the Iliad and the Odyssey and his role in Greek literary tradition.