Hero · Character in Homer’s Odyssey
Alcinoüs
Phaeacian king, open-handed host
Lavish and courteous; feasts a stranger for days before asking his name.
He takes a naked stranger in at his hearth, stages games and feasts and songs for him, loads him with treasure, and only then asks his name. His ships carry Odysseus home asleep, and Poseidon punishes him for it.
Bonds
- Nausicaä daughter of Alcinoüs — princess of the Phaeacians
- Alcinoüs king of Scheria — rules the seafaring people
- Alcinoüs host of Odysseus — feasts him, then ships him home
- Arete wife of Alcinoüs — honoured as if a goddess
Appears in
- Book VI Odysseus Discovered by Nausicaä
- Book VII Reception of Odysseus by Alcinoüs
- Book VIII Festivals in Honor of Odysseus
- Book XI Visit of Odysseus to the Land of the Dead
- Book XIII Arrival of Odysseus at Ithaca
Scenes
- Athena’s Dream Visit — Book VI. Athena urges Nausicaä to wash robes
- Nausicaä’s Request — Book VI. Nausicaä asks Alcinoüs for a wagon
- Odysseus Emerges — Book VI. Leaf-clad Odysseus approaches, maidens flee
- Odysseus’ Supplication — Book VI. Odysseus begs Nausicaä, who calms maids
- Instructions for the City — Book VI. Nausicaä tells him to clasp mother’s knees
- Unseen Through the City — Book VII. Misted Odysseus passes harbor unnoticed
- Palace and Garden — Book VII. Odysseus marvels at bronze hall, orchard
- Welcomed to the Hearth — Book VII. Echeneus urges Alcinoüs to seat stranger
- Alcinoüs’ Promise — Book VII. Alcinoüs vows council, wonders if a god
- A Son-in-Law Offered — Book VII. Alcinoüs offers daughter, promises escort
- Beds Are Made — Book VII. Maids ready couches, hosts retire
- Assembly Convened — Book VIII. Herald Athena summons chiefs
- Feast and First Song — Book VIII. Demodocus sings the quarrel, Odysseus weeps
- Games Proposed — Book VIII. Alcinoüs proposes games for youths
- Alcinoüs Calls for Dance — Book VIII. Alcinoüs praises dance, calls dancers
- Dance of the Ball — Book VIII. Laodamas, Halius dance, delight Odysseus
- Gifts Packed for the Voyage — Book VIII. Gifts packed, Nausicaä watches Odysseus
- Alcinoüs’s Question — Book VIII. Alcinoüs halts song, demands his name
- Phaeacian Counsel — Book XI. Alcinoüs grants gifts, extra night
- Odysseus Continues — Book XI. Alcinoüs asks about dead comrades
- Gifts for the Guest — Book XIII. Alcinoüs urges final gifts before dawn
- Feast and Farewell — Book XIII. Odysseus feasts, asks to sail home
- Departure from Scheria — Book XIII. Odysseus bids Arete farewell, sleeps
- Phaeacians’ Prophecy Fulfilled — Book XIII. Alcinoüs recalls prophecy, orders sacrifice
Alcinoüs is named in 35 of the poem’s scenes; these are the twenty-four that carry the most of the name.