8th+Modern+Argives+Bk+18

Modern Argives Book XVIII ** Key Players **
 * The Odyssey **


 * Odysseus: the main hero of the Odyssey, but in this book he is disguised as a lowly beggar.
 * Telemachus: the son of Odysseus, he is aiding Odysseus in his plan against the suitors.
 * Penelope: the wife of Odysseus, who is bravely standing up against the suitors.
 * Irus: usual beggar in the house of Odysseus, he must be in a bad mood.
 * Antinuous: rudest suitor and man on the face of the earth.
 * Eurymachus: best of the suitors, he is still rude.
 * Amphinomus: most mannered of the suitors.
 * Melantho: handmaid of Penelope and lover of Eurymachus, she obviously wasn't taught proper etiquette.
 * Summary**


 * We join the suitors who are, once again, sitting around in Odysseus' house, wasting his goods.
 * Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, is begging for food.
 * Irus the beggar, a common sight in Odysseus' house, comes and orders Odysseus to leave.
 * Antinous suggests a boxing match to settle their problem.
 * They agree to contend for begging rights in a boxing match. The match only lasts for about five seconds with Odysseus as the winner.
 * The suitors congratulate Odysseus with a meal.
 * Odysseus tells Amphinomus of his and the suitors impending doom, but he does not heed Odysseus' warning.
 * Penelope makes an appearance before the suitors with added beauty from Athena.
 * She berates Telemachus on the mistreatment of the beggars and makes clear to the suitors that instead of using her husband's resources they should use up their stuff and give her gifts if they want to win her over.
 * The beggars bring gifts to Penelope because of that.
 * Penelope goes back to her room with her gifts.
 * Odysseus urges the rest of the handmaids to go with Penelope.
 * Melantho, one of Penelope's handmaids, mocks Odysseus, who replies with a violent threat that makes her run away.
 * Eurymachus then taunts Odysseus, who tells him off.
 * Odysseus dodges a footstool thrown at him by Eurymachus.
 * Telemachus yells at the suitors about their abuse of his hospitality and prods them to leave soon.
 * The suitors pour libations and leave for home.
 * Ancient Greek Boxing**

The Ancient Greeks used boxing as a means of competition. It was used to find which of two men was dominant over the other. Some believe that the Spartans invented boxing as a means of training for battle. Others believe that the ruler, Theseus, invented boxing in a form where two men sat face to face and punched each other until one died. Boxing was made into an Olympic sport in the 688 B.C. games. Up until around 500 B.C., boxers wore 9-10 foot long pieces of ox hide called himantes. About 100 years later, a harder padded version of himantes called spharais were being used. Just a little while later, oxys, or leather bands were wrapped around a boxers hands. There was also a strip of fleece wrapped around the wrist to absorb sweat. Many times these wrapped leather bands were extended up the forearm to improve power and stability of a punch. To train the boxers, Korykos were used. A koryko is the modern day equivalent of a punching bag, often it was filled with grain or sand. No women were allowed to watch these boxing matches because the men fought naked. **Themes:**

** Justice of the Gods :** This theme is shown when Odysseus is given power to defeat Irus by Athena so he can prove he is worthy of being in the house.


 * Importance of Sacrifice :** This is shown when the Suitors offer libations to the gods when they are feasting with Odysseus.


 * Hospitality :** Hospitality is shown by the suitors when they feed Odysseus after he wins the boxing match.

**Prophecy** : Prophecy is demonstrated when Penelope tells of Odysseus' prophecy before he leaves for Troy. He says that while he may not return she shouldn't marry until Telemachus is old enough to rule and then she should marry and move away.