7th+Helens+Bk+16

​​ The Helens Book XVI

**Key Characters:**

Telemachus Eumaeus Athena Odysseus Penelope Eurymachus


 * Key Vocabulary: **

**Wanton ** **- ** ** Sexually lawless or unrestrained, loose, lewd ** **Squalid** ** - **** Foul and repulsive, as from lack of care or cleanliness ** **Ingenious** ** - Cleverly inventive or resourceful **
 * Quandary **** -A **** state of perplexity or uncertainty, especially as of what to do **

**Key Locations** **:** Eumaeus’s Hut Telemachus’s Palace Suitor’s Meeting Place

**Summary & Important Events: **  Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, and Eumaeus are in Eumaeus’s hut talking and making breakfast when Telemachus arrives home from his journey. When Telemachus gets in the hut, Eumaeus tells Telemachus Odysseus’s story and asks Telemachus if Odysseus can stay at the palace with Telemachus. Telemachus politely refuses because he is afraid of what the suitors might do to Odysseus. Next Telemachus commands Eumaeus to go tell Penelope and only Penelope that he has returned from his journey. After Eumaeus has left, Athena signals to Odysseus and he goes out to talk with her. Athena informs Odysseus that it is time for him to tell Telemachus his true identity and then she changes him back with her golden wand. When Odysseus walks back inside Telemachus is astonished but will not believe that it is really his father, until Odysseus explains his story involving Athena. Odysseus and Telemachus begin to plot against the suitors; Telemachus is to go back home and act like nothing is wrong. When Telemachus receives the signal from Odysseus he is supposed to gather up all of the weapons in the house and hide them inside the high roofed room above the hall. Odysseus and Telemachus will then attack them with two spears and axes, while the suitors are in a trance placed on by the gods. After learning of the news that Telemachus has returned home, the suitors led by Eurymachus plot to kill Telemachus before he is able to call a meeting of the townspeople to inform them of the suitor plan. Amphinomus though tells the suitors to wait for a signal from the gods before they take action. The suitors all agree this is the best course and head home only to meet Penelope who had heard about the suitors plot yelling at them for it. Only Eumaeus is able to calm her down with news about Telemachus. **
 * In Book XVI,


 * Themes:**

__**Hospitality:**__ In the beginning of the book, Odysseus was staying at Eumaes' house when Telemachus approaches. Eumaes' invites them in at treats them to a meal as they plan their plot against the suitors.

__**Justice of the god's:**__ When the suitors are planning to kill Telemachus, Amphinomus objects. He said that it would be a horror to kill the king's son. He announced that they should first consult Zeus, and if he said it was alright them he would kill Telemachus himself.

** Detective Greek Weapons- The average soldier, or hoplite, wore around 70 pounds of body armor. They also carried a large shield, which could be used to defend themselves and break opponents weapons. The weapon usually used by a hoplite was a spear. They were six to eight feet long and had a solid wood handle with a metal tip. The butt of the spear also had a bronze club, which was very useful since the spears would often break during battle. Another weapon used during enemy attacks was the ballista, which is like a crossbow. These, however, were not used by the hoplites. The ballistas were used when attacking forts because spears could not be thrown high enough. Along with ballistas and spears, the warriors used small swords. Still, the spear was the weapon of choice for a hoplite. **