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​​​ The Odyssey of Homer: Book IX

**__Main Characters:__**

Odysseus Polyphemus (Cyclops) Zeus Poseidon

__** Summary: **__

In the beginning of Book IX, Odysseus tells Alcinous of his journey on the way home after the Trojan War. As Odysseus and his men sailed, the gods sent ferocious winds upon them. Finally, after nine days of battling the sea, they reached the lad of the Lotus-Eaters. Here they fed themselves and found more food to take along with them. After boarding back onto the ships, Odysseus and his men came to the land of the Cyclops. They explored the area and gathered food for a huge meal. While doing so, they all wound up in the cave of Polyphemus. The Cyclops shows little mercy and eats some of Odysseus’s crew. Luckily, Odysseus had some very strong wine made at home which he intended to use for their feast. He gave this wine to the Cyclops who drank it greedily. While Polyphemus was passed out from drunkenness, Odysseus drove and olive wood stake into the Cyclops’s only eye, blinding it. Now that Polyphemus cannot see, Odysseus devises a plan of escape. Hiding under the belly of a ram, he manages to get out of the cave and rescue his men. As the ships are sailing away, Odysseus yells to Polyphemus and tells him that Odysseus is the one who blinded him. In response, the Cyclops states that Telemus once told him that a he would be blinded by a man named Odysseus. Once they are a good distance from the shore, a sacrifice is offered and the book concludes.

__ **//The Detective://** Olive Wood __

Olive wood is highly valued in today's world. This is mainly because it is so beautiful in crafts. Olive wood is very dense and fine-grained, and is very often polished to a nice shine. As for its uses in the Greeks' time, its most notable purpose was to annoint kings and athletes. Athena apparently found the olive holy, so the Greeks had a olive on their Athenian coins. Olive tree branches were used to crown the winner of competitions and bloody battles, too. Olive oil was used as the "eternal flame" of the original Olympic Games.

The olive tree or olives are also mentioned in literature besides the Odyssey. Mentions can be found in the Illiad, as well as a poem by the Roman poet, Horace, who supposedly used olives in his diet.

OLIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Olive Wood Table

Greek Coin

**__Major progressing themes:__**

Hospitality: In the ancient Greek era, hospiality played a major role. Hospitality is giving a guest whatever they happen to ask for. Sacrifice: -Libation: liquid sacrifice -Hecatomb: large scale sacrifice of large animals or large numbers Justice of the gods: People had a lot of respect and believed that sacrafice made the gods happy, and pleasing the gods would bring you good fortune. The gods were meant for an explanation of things that happen in the world. Examples: A storm at sea was said to happen by the wrath of the god of the sea, Poseidon. Thunder and lightning were from the head god Zeus. Importance of Prophecy/Omens: These were people who were believed to be able to read and predict the future These are the major themes so far in Homer's Odyssey.

In Book Nine, Odysseus is trying to reach home and ends up in the cave of the cyclops. One of the major themes that is displayed in this book is when Odysseus is offering sacrifice to the gods. He is going to offer to Zeus, but he later decides to offer to Posiedon so that he will be able to return home safely on the seas. This is also an example of justice of the gods because Odysseus believes that the gods will be the ones to help him return home. His fate lies in their hands. It is their choice whether or not to allow him to return to his faithful wife Penelope. Also, the importance of prophecy is shown when we learn about Telemus warning the Cyclops that he will be blinded.
 * __The influence of these themes in Book Nine of Homers Odyssey__**

__**The "Picasso":**__ The Big Tipsy : An original piece by Dan Reit.