Book XV · Episode 1 of 4
Departure from Sparta
Telemachus leaves Sparta laden with gifts
Scenes
- Athena’s Warning — Athena warns Telemachus of ambush ahead
- Athena arrives at Lacedaemon by night
- Finds him sleepless, fixed on his father
- Says kin push Penelope to wed Eurymachus
- Notes suitors lurk near Samos and Ithaca
- Tells him to seek the swineherd first
- Rousing Peisistratus — Telemachus hurries, Peisistratus urges delay
- Athena withdraws back to Olympus
- Wakes Peisistratus with a touch of heel
- Says departing in darkness would be wrong
- Says a guest recalls a kind host
- Waits for Menelaus to rise with gifts
- Leave Requested — Telemachus asks leave of Menelaus
- Menelaus rises at dawn from Helen’s side
- Promises not to hold an unwilling guest
- Offers rich gifts and a farewell feast
- Proposes touring Hellas and Argos first
- Fears losing his inheritance if he lingers
- Gifts and Farewell Feast — Menelaus and Helen give goblet, robe
- Orders a feast prepared for the guests
- Leads Helen and son Megapenthes to treasury
- Goblet once given by Phaedimus of Sidon
- Helen’s robe is for his mother
- Menelaus pours a libation before they leave