This is basically a university level lecture, but with better graphics and music

My hat goes off to the writers. I read the Odyssey a couple years ago, and I always wondered about its being an Iron Age tale in a Bronze Age setting. It is fascinating to see people in the past's interpretation of their own past. For me that adds to the tale's mystique.

Odysseus was 20 years away from Ithaca. 10 for the war and 10 for the journey.

A key note on Odysseus and the suitors: Odysseus was a man who above many things in life, valued Xenia. Xenia was the Greek term for Hospitality, a law that Zeus both protected and revered. No one who adhered to the rules of his host or offered his guests food and wine were ever in the wrong. Those who harmed their guests or stole from their hosts were subject to brutal punishment, as no god would ever protect him from retribution.

A key example of this is with Polyphemus. When Odysseus and his men arrive at the cave, they found big blocks of cheese and ate them. But Odysseus insisted on them staying and waiting for the owner of the cave, so that they could repay him for the cheese by giving him wine. Polyphemus took the wine, but ate Odysseus' men, believing himself safe from the violation of Xenia by virtue of being the son of Poseidon. Seeing as his men had been killed by a host who they had given wine, Odysseus reasoned that Polyphemus was in violation of Xenia and thus blinded him.

Then come the suitors. They had essentially come into Odysseus' home and palace with the intention of marrying Penelope. While they had the argument that a man away from home for so long is dead, an argument that isn't wrong per say, they behaved in the most obnoxious of fashions. They had made themselves at home without invite, drinking the wine and eating the good food and they never left. Had they come once a month to ask for Penelope's hand and left when she said no, they would have been fine as guests. While insistent about marrying a married woman who was waiting for her husband, they would have stayed within the rules. But they did not. Instead, they made themselves at home, taking up residence in the palace and feasting nearly every day in wait for Penelope to make her choice. They even had sex with the servants of the palace, thinking they were in the right and out of harms way. They also began to plot the murder of Telemachus, the rightful heir to the throne. So when Odysseus returned and proved his identity, the suitors were by law and command of the gods to be slaughtered.

This placed the empathis that Xenia, hospitality, was sacred in nearly all aspects of life. And as a man who strongly believed in it, Odysseus was portrayed as a role model on how Xenia is practiced: Be good and kind to your host/guests, and ruthless to those who break bones over bread by the fire.

I cry every time I get to the part where Argos reunites with Odysseus. We really don't deserve dogs.

Nostos is still a common emotion among the Greek diaspora today. Even with our wealthy lives abroad, a calling to return home stays in our minds.

I think it’s hella cool that I am watching the Odyssey (1968 and 1997) for the past few days. A very fortunate coincidence

I picked up Total War: Pharaoh at the end of the steam sale two days ago. I'm playing as Odysseus and then this comes out the next day. Gotta love that, thank you for the great content.

HBO should make a multi-seasonal show about Odysseus

The perspective of the transition from the bronze to the iron age in Odyssey was really new to me, and I have found it quite interesting.
I must congratulate you for the splendid video.
And just one question : is it only me, or Themistocles does feels like he is some sort of Odysseus' reincarnation?!

If I remember correctly it was 10 years of war + 10 years of the travel back home= 20 years of not being home. Not 10 as the video says. 13:06

Pls cover Illiad too...
P.S I am sure the next video would be the best video I have ever seen on Kings and Generals❤

Lately, I have been following a Greek guys channel, Wanax tv, about late bronze age collapse in general. I like his take on what might have happened.

I liked this particular take too. Thanks.

Another 3 hour kings and general sesh 💨 Oooooooh yeaaaah

My favorite classic Greek story is with the Argonauts. It’s like the Avengers of the ancient world and they were seemingly the first to see the ends of the known world. Before them was Theseus (or maybe Perseus)and his link with Persia, later (I think around Alexander’s time) would Herakles be linked as far as India stretching the known world even further.

Who else is excited for The Return?

Exceptionally informative, as usual. Thanks for tackling this truly interesting topic. I studied Greek as a classical language. It's rather refreshing to hear your analytics.
Much appreciated.

Odysseus? Didn't you mean "Nobody"?

Polyphemus remembers it...

Subtitles not working for anyone else on this?

Very good video. I have read Homer's Illiad but not Odyssey. Thanks for yet another amazing animated video and narration. Thankyou.