Mortal · Character in Homer’s Odyssey
Dolius
Laertes' faithful old gardener
Faithful through the whole occupation; fathered its two traitors anyway.
The old servant who came with Penelope from her father's house and keeps Laertes' garden ground. His son Melanthius and daughter Melantho both go over to the suitors; Dolius himself does not, and in the last fight he and six loyal sons arm and stand with Odysseus and the old king.
Bonds
- Dolius servant of Laertes — keeps the old man’s orchard
- Dolius father of Melanthius — the traitor son
Appears in
- Book IV Conference of Telemachus and Menelaus
- Book XVII Return of Odysseus to His Palace
- Book XVIII Combat of Odysseus and Irus
- Book XXII Death of the Suitors
- Book XXIV Conclusion
Scenes
- Lament and Comfort — Book IV. Eurycleia confesses helping Telemachus
- On the Road — Book XVII. Eumaeus, Odysseus set out, meet Melanthius
- Melantho Taunts Odysseus — Book XVIII. Melantho mocks, Odysseus invokes Telemachus
- Betrayal Discovered — Book XXII. Odysseus orders Melanthius trapped
- Odysseus Finds Laertes — Book XXIV. Odysseus finds Laertes grieving in orchard
- Dolius Welcomes Odysseus — Book XXIV. Dolius and sons arrive astonished
- Odysseus Arms for Battle — Book XXIV. Odysseus’ band marches to meet Ithacans