Book XXII of twenty-four · The Bow and the Blood
Odysseus slaughters suitors, aided by Athena
Casting off his disguise, Odysseus shoots Antinoüs and declares war on the suitors, who rearm via the treacherous goatherd Melanthius before Athena, disguised as Mentor, turns the battle. Odysseus kills the suitors one by one, sparing only the bard Phemius and herald Medon; Telemachus then hangs the disloyal maids as Odysseus purifies the palace before the loyal household’s tearful reunion.
Argument, 1871 Antinous slain by an arrow from the bow of Odysseus, who now declares himself, and begins the slaughter —Arms brought to him and to Eumaeus and Philoetius by Telemachus —Arms brought to the suitors by Melanthius the goatherd —Appearance of Athena in the shape of Mentor —Death of all the suitors —Medon and Phemius spared —The unfaithful serving-women hanged.