Book XXIV · Episode 4 of 5

Ithaca Divided

Eupeithes rouses kin, Zeus intervenes

Scenes

1. Eupeithes Rouses Ithaca — Eupeithes urges killing Odysseus
   • News of the deaths spreads citywide
   • Families carry off their dead in grief
   • Distant townsmen’s bodies shipped home by sea
   • Eupeithes mourns Antinoüs, first man slain
   • Fears Odysseus’ escape to Pylos or Elis
2. Medon Defends Odysseus — Medon says a god aided Odysseus
   • Crowd stirs with pity at Eupeithes’ tears
   • Medon and the sacred bard step forward
   • Medon saw a god in Mentor’s likeness
   • Suitors driven through the hall in heaps
3. Halitherses Urges Peace — Halitherses urges peace, ignored
   • Crowd turns pale at Medon’s words
   • Halitherses alone reads past and future
   • Blames fathers for sons’ reckless insolence
   • Over half the assembly stays home
   • Rest arm and muster under Eupeithes
4. Zeus Ordains Peace — Zeus decrees peace, killings forgotten
   • Athena asks Zeus to reveal his purpose
   • Zeus leaves the choice to Athena
   • Advises a binding oath of peace
   • Odysseus to reign on in Ithaca
   • Memory of slain sons set to fade